Fisheries department steps in to ease prices, begins supply in Goa

PANAJI: In an attempt to stabilise rates and intensify competition, the fisheries department has begun increasing the supply of fish for consumers during the past few days.
The department has been purchasing fish directly from trawler owners, which is then passed on to registered self help groups (SHG) to be supplied to markets.
“Eight truckloads of fish are supplied every day. The department is also negotiating with suppliers from Maharashtra for procuring prawns,” said fisheries secretary P S Reddy.
The supplier has agreed to supply a truckload of prawns, and the price is being negotiated, he said. Goa normally receives two truckloads of prawns every day from Maharashtra, Reddy said.
The price of prawns has doubled, while the rates of other fish varieties have also shot up even though adequate stocks are available in the state. The government had permitted fishing activities to resume a few days ago.
Normally, the retail price of prawns ranges between Rs 400-600 kg subject to quality, but now it has gone up to Rs 1,000 per kg.
“We have enough stock of fish. All cold storage facilities are full,” he said.
Alhough the department has no control over pricing of fish, their attempt is to infuse more supply so that there is enough competition to keep the rates stable.
With the hospitality industry closed due to travel restrictions, availability of fish for local consumption is expected to increase and alter the price dynamics. “We haven’t seen prices dropping significantly,” said a consumer.
With fishing activities gaining momentum, the department has intensified Covid-19 awareness among labourers employed on jetties and trawlers. On Friday, an awareness session was held among traditional fishermen in Pernem taluka, Nerul, and Cutbona jetty, insisting that workers must follow social distancing norms.

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