Barring mackerels, fish prices in Goa make customers squirm

PANAJI: The Panaji fish market wore a deserted look on Saturday as vendors struggled to sell seafood. While prices remained affordable for mackerels, they skyrocketed for kingfish and pomfret.

“There are only mackerels in the market as of now, which is why they are selling for such throwaway prices,” said Devanand Lamani, a fishvendor in the market. “Our customers, however, are weary of eating mackerels everyday and ask for other kinds of fish. But, other varieties are not abundantly available as of now because we’re only selling what local fishermen provide us with.”

Thus, a crisp Rs 100 note can get you 20-25 small mackerels (or 12 medium-sized ones or five large ones). The humble sardines, at Rs 200 a kg, and sole fish (lepo), which commands Rs 300 a kg, are failing to attract customers. “People have still not recovered from the jolt of the formalin scare,” said vendor Basuraj Boeiyer.

Can’t suspend fish ban, says Vishwajit Rane

“People have still not recovered from the jolt of the formalin scare,” said vendor Basuraj Boeiyer. “Even though the government has imposed a ban on fish imports from other states and the seafood in the market is exclusively from Goan shores, people are still not convinced. The few that do approach us to buy kingfish or pomfret retreat when they hear the high prices.”

TOI had earlier reported that Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy had written to his Goa counterpart Manohar Parrikar requesting him to withdraw the fish ban. He also said that his government would ensure that fish traders comply with FDA regulations and obtain the required certificates after meeting the required standards.

But Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane responded sharpy. “The letter asked that the ban be suspended, but we cannot suspend the ban,” he said.