Fish prices increase as Goa braces for ban on imports

MAPUSA/PANAJI: With fish imports falling drastically over the last few days, Goans have started to witness increase in prices of their much-loved staple food.

Prices of fish shot up in the markets over the past few days. Common fish varieties like mackerel were sold at Rs 100 for three compared to Rs 100 for five around a week ago. High-value fish like pomfret were sold at rates between Rs 800-Rs 1,000 per kg compared to Rs 500 last week.

As announced by health minister Vishwajit Rane, the ban on import of fish will officially come into effect from Monday and its subsequent effect on prices of locally-caught fish remains to be seen. Transportation of fish from other states has already stopped due to enforcement of FDA guidelines by government authorities. This saw fluctuating prices in the markets over the last few days with many Goans giving their favourite fish a miss.

Size, price make it tough to manage monthly budget

Says Marcus D’Cruz, a Siolim resident, “I don’t buy fish as I used to before. They are small and expensive fish which makes it difficult for a common man like me to manage my monthly budget if I make a purchase.”

Adds president, Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society, Cruz Cardozo, “King prawns that used to sell for Rs 400 a kg a few days ago was being sold for Rs 800 on Sunday.”

Isabelle D’Souza, a fish vendor at Panaji market, said that when fish imports was permitted in Goa, the rates were economical for customers. “Now, there is only locally-caught fish that is being sold which is why there is less quantity and the rates have shot up. We have been affected a lot as many customers refrain from purchasing overpriced fish,” she said.

Vendors at markets at Panaji and Mapusa were seen selling locally-caught fish such as mackerel and sardines, most of which were sourced from the shores of Nerul, Dona Paula, Caranzalem, Betul and Vasco among other places.

On Sunday, some villages in Bardez found a reprieve from high prices as locally-caught mackeral were sold at Rs 100 for six. “Only locally-caught fish are available in the market as of now. We've not been getting any supply from other states,” another fish vendor from Panaji market said.

“Only small, local fish like mackerels, sardines etc can be found instead of large-sized varieties. Our profitability has therefore been affected as a result,” president, Mapusa Fish Vendors Association, Sashikala Govekar told TOI. The drop in demand for sea fish also saw a corresponding increase in demand for riverine fish including shellfish.