Vendors left high and dry
Fish loving Goans turn to dry or salted fish when fish turn scarce during monsoons. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find fish eaters making a beeline at the Purumentachem fest fair at Old Market, Margao every year to make a provision for the dry fish. But, ask dry fish vendors at the Old Market fair and don’t be surprised to hear many voices complaining of slow business this year. Three days on and the vendors pin their hopes on the remaining four days for the business to pick up before curtains come down on the fair on Sunday.
A visit to the fair showed display of the rich variety of dry fish, ranging from the prized shark and sting rays to mackerels, prawns et al. Says Alice Fernandes, a fisherwoman from Colva: “Business has not picked up as was expected. It may be because of two reasons: One, unlike in the past, fish is now available in the market throughout the year. Fish is brought to Goa in boxes from other states to meet the demand. Secondly, the Holy Spirit feast has come a bit late this year. May be dry fish lovers have already made their purchases.” Like many a vendor, Alice is anticipating a rush of customers on the last two days of the fairs falling during the weekend.
Another vendor, Fatima Cardozo echoed similar sentiments. “The business has been dull since the last three days. We have not made much business this year. We had participated in the feast fair at Sanguem, but the response there for the prized dry shark of sting ray has been lukewarm to moderate. We fail to understand whether the mining closure is the cause behind the slow business. The slow business may be also on account of the fish prices,” she said.
Seventy-year old fisherwoman from Colva, Liberata Fernandes is a familiar face selling dry fish at the Old Market fair over the years. She said many a vendor has reduced the price of dry sting ray because of the slow business. “We dry the fish at Colva every year and sell them at the fair. The government has come out with doles for everyone, from milkmen to poders and should also look into our problems,” Liberata added.
