Team Herald
PANJIM: Apprehensions that the formalin in fish issue would hit tourism have been allayed at least for now, though industry stakeholders do feel that the ban on fish import and the suspicion due to formalin has is an irritant to visitors who descend upon the State known for its xitt codi anik nustem (fish curry rice).
The demand for fish dishes in restaurants and hotels has, however, taken a sharp dive, while fish caught locally is being sold at an unaffordable rate.
While the scarcity of fish (Goa is observing the annual fishing ban till July 31) and soaring price is being debated, the tourism industry has ruled out any impact on the business.
“Fish ban will have absolutely no impact on tourism. Although it may be a bit of an irritant to some tourists, they somehow will find fish at some restaurant if they really want it. This problem needs a permanent solution and we need to bear with the government for some time,” Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Savio Messias told Herald.
Endorsing this view, immediate TTAG past president Francisco Braganza cited controversies surrounding different consumable products. “It has been going on for years, not only as regards fish, but also chicken, fruits and vegetables which are all treated with preservatives in different forms and which are all cancerous. It has had no effect on tourists, who unlike the local do not depend on fish. There is no effect on tourism,” was his opinion as he shared his thoughts with Herald.
The ongoing controversy on the other hand has triggered a fear among hoteliers and restaurateurs of losing regular fish-eating customers. Herald spoke to a couple of establishment owners who confirmed that customers have stopped asking for fish items.
“We hardly have any customers going for fish items, unlike the days before this formalin issue came up. There is also shortage of fish from vendors. We are presently depending on local fish, which is not in huge quantities,” Santanu Gawas, co-partner of a restaurant in Taleigao said.
“Tourists are usually not fond of just fish items. They go for different kinds of sea food. But local customers have begin keeping from ordering fish,” said Timmy Shah, a restaurant owner. Restaurateurs are now waiting for the fishing season to commence on August 1.
Goa Hotel Owners Association president Gaurish Dhond expressed his disappointment over the crisis. “It is no doubt that the fish price has escalated owing to the ban. Fish dish prices in the hotels have also increased and we can’t help it. It has affected the hotel/restaurant businesses,” he said, demanding criminal action against all those involved in the offence.
Dhond also suggested that the government form separate squads in departments like Food & Drugs Administration and Goa Police to keep tabs on imported vegetables, fish and other consumable items. “Anyone found contaminating food with dangerous chemicals they should be jailed without bail,” he said.
