Imphal, Sept. 19 :    Imphal, Sept. 19:  Availability of fishes like carp and other varieties in local markets here has been lean, contrary to official figures which show a high rate of fish production in the state. This has resulted in prices of fish skyrocketing here. The common carp, for example, was being sold between Rs 80 to 85 a kilo. The current shortage of fish has been attributed to a dwindling in the number of fishermen, most of whom are now engaged in paddy fields for seasonal cultivation. Moreover, the widespread killing of fingerlings of local fish varieties during breeding season (July to September) has added to the crisis. Despite recent restrictions imposed by the state fisheries department on trading in fingerlings, these are being openly sold at markets throughout the state. Fishermen, especially in the Imphal markets, have sold fingerlings of lata fish, mirgal, silver and grass carp, including some endangered species, at a much cheaper rate during the breeding season. The state fisheries department failed to take necessary steps against the errant fishmongers as per rules of the Fisheries Rule Act, 1998. According to the Act, those violating the rules vis-à-vis fish trade face at least one-year jail term with a fine up to Rs 5,000 or both. As a result of these lapses, people in Manipur are having to buy fish at a much higher price this year. As per official records, the state requires nearly 20,000 metric tonnes of fish annually, calculated on the basis of 200 gram of fish per head per day for 100 days in a year. Only 15,506 metric tonnes of fish were available last year, because of which large quantities had to be bought from other states like West Bengal to meet the high demands. According to official figures, there are 131 species of fishes in the state. Of these, 17 species have been labelled 'endemic fishes'. The fisheries department had taken up programmes to increase production of endemic fishes like Pengba and Ngaton. But due to lack of funds, not much could be done in this regard. The fisheries department is yet to expedite the Rs 4-crore Pengba Project at Haotakpat in Bishnupur district to save the endangered species. The entry of major carps in the late Sixties has swamped out the indigenous fishes. These include the Tortor (Nungba), Wallangoatter (Sareng) and Labeodero (Khabak).