SHOAIB SHAIKH
shoaib@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Fish markets in Goa have received poor response from customers. This, even though the State government has given assurances that the available fish is formalin free and has been tested before it enters the markets
Fish vendors claim that the numbers have reduced after some of the Opposition MLAs alleged that the imported fish had presence of formalin and called upon the people to refrain from eating fish until the ban is lifted and Goan trawlers begin their fishing.
While nearly 25 tonnes of fish is being imported daily from the others states especially from the East Coast of the country, there is an equal quantity of fish (stored in freezers) being supplied from the local fish factories.
However, the common man’s complain is that the part of their staple diet has become dearer and hence it is best to wait until rates dip.
In the Panjim market, the hustle and bustle in the early hours of the day continues to get a hold onto the fish catch of the traditional Goan fishermen, though at a price. A woman vendor said “The availability of fish is low due to the bad weather but people still come. Wait for the weather to improve and you will see large quantity of fish available in the market. People will not have to worry about formalin.”
When asked about the rates, she agreed that the rates were on the higher side. “Fish prices are on higher side but that is due to the less quantity available. It is the only source of livelihood for us and we have to make a living in what is available”, she added.
A member of the Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Co-Op Society Ltd said that despite the fish ban, the markets have enough fish supply to provide for the Goans. “There is lots of fish which is being imported as well as fish which was stored and frozen is also available. The stored fish was frozen when the fish supply was abundant and now it’s made available in the markets. But the fish comes at a price”, he stated.
A wholesaler informed that around 10-12 vehicles carrying fish enter into the State. He said that most of the common fish such as mackerels are from the east coast of India and others like sardines and ‘yellyo’ are from the states of Karnataka and Kerala.
“Most of the fish imported comes from the east coast. But since the Karnataka and Kerala governments have permitted fibre boat owners to continue fishing smaller fishes which are available in Goan markets are imported from these states”, he added.
However, he claimed that the rates have dipped as compared to previous due to the formalin scare. “Most of the retail vendors have begun to feel the pinch after a couple of MLAs made statements calling upon people to stop eating fish till the ban period is over. Until a week back the business was still steady but since the MLAs’ statements, there has been a dip in the customers and even the prices have dropped”, he stated.
