the goan I network
MARGAO
Eggs have replaced fish on the menu of many an eatery and canteens, even as big time restaurants and hotels catering to tourists look forward to meeting their daily fish requirements from fish export processing units located in the State.
With the ban on import of fish coming into force from early Thursday morning, hoteliers and eatery owners were spotted in the SGPDA fish market, trying their luck to lay their hands on at least the shrimps needed for the fish curry.
Some of them speaking to The Goan said they have stocks which may last for a day or two, but hastened to add that they may get their requirements from fish exporting units. A prominent sea food restaurant owner from coastal Salcete informed that he procures his requirement of fish from an export house located at Old Goa. “I have come to the PDA market to purchase shrimps for the fish curry. The ban will affect our business, but we have no option than to resign to our fate,” he said.
A eatery owner pointed out that he has stock of fish in his deep freezer which may last for two-three days, hoping that the arrival of fresh rampon fish may help tide over the unusual situation.
The canteen run by the Margao police saw eggs on the menu on Thursday. Dependent on common man’s fish such as mussels, sardines, padiyos and sole fish, which has now become scarce after the ban came into effect, the canteen owner served eggs for lunch, which was well received by the customers.
Another eatery owner pointed out that he will have to switch over to eggs in a day or two after the exhaustion of his stock. “If we don’t get the manshe shrimps, we will have no option than to opt for chicken curry rice with an egg’, said the eatery owner, keeping his fingers crossed what lies in store for those in the eatery business.
