MARGAO
Even as the stalemate between the wholesale fish trader and the sopo contractor continues, the sopo contractor on Tuesday claimed that around 48 fish vehicles entered the wholesale fish market, giving respite to the fish-loving Goans.
He pointed out that Goans will not have to depend on fish from across the borders if the local fishermen, including the boat owners, ramponkars and fish farmers bring their catch in the wholesale fish market.
Of the 48 vehicles, sopo contractor, Milagres Fernandes pointed out that 44 vehicles came with fish from across the State, while the remaining four were inter-state vehicles transporting fish into the State.
“This is the happiest day for the people of Goa. Perhaps for the first time at least in the last 17 years, 44 vehicles with fish catch by local fishermen entered the wholesale fish market,” he told the media as he profusely thanked the boat owners and the traditional fishermen for maintaining regular fish supply in the wholesale fish market.
Saying the arrival of 48 vehicles with fish is a big news for the people of Goa, Milagres asserted that if the trend continues and if the local fish catch finds its way in the market, a day will come when Goans need not have to depend on outside fish anymore. “I have no words to express my gratitude to the boat owners and the traditional fishermen for having maintained the fish supply in the market,” he said.
Fish supply to the wholesale fish market, which is Goa’s lone wholesale fish market, was disrupted since the last six days following a face off between the wholesale fish traders and the sopo contractor.
While the traders charged the sopo contractor for harassment and charging hefty fees, the contractor rubbished the allegations and termed them as baseless.
In protest against the alleged harassment meted out by the contractor and as a mark of protest over the inordinate delay by the SGPDA to tender the sopo contract, the wholesale fish traders have stopped importing fish from across the borders.
