the goan I network
MARGAO
Are you scouting for fresh river fish? Why not drive down to the riverine village of Assolna, where fish lovers make a beeline for river fish since the formalin scare hit the State around a week ago?
Well, Assolna’s status as the hub for river fish is well known amongst the neighbouring villagers of Chinchinim, Velim, Cuncolim and Cavelossim. This is one reason why fish loving Goans make a beeline to the Assolna fish market after the formalin scare left people with no option than to stay away from consuming imported fish.
A visit to the fish market on Tuesday confirmed Assolna’s status as the market for river fish. While vendors selling sea fish, including mackrels, sardines, sole fish, etc have been left high and dry after the formalin scare hit the State, river fish is being sold like hot cakes and is available at a premium.
Says a vendor selling sea fish: “Our very livelihood is at stake after the formalin scare hit the markets. People no longer buy sea fish, but are looking out for the river fish. We do not know about the future that lies in store for us.”
Vendors selling sea fish further said they have only sustained losses since the scare hit the markets a week ago.
On the other hand, the river fish selling vendors said the demand for river fish has only increased manifold after the formalin scare.
“We net the fresh fish from the river Sal. The men folk venture out and place the nets in the river during high tide and catch the fish during low tide,” Ela from Cavelossim told The Goan.
Fresh river fish such as shotve, crabs, shetkan, etc all made their presence felt at the market in the morning before it was sold as hot cakes
within hours.
