the goan I network
MARGAO
Fish imported from across the State’s borders finally found its way in Goa’s lone fish market here on Saturday after an over 15-day ban, bringing tonnes of mackerels, sole fish, vellios, sharks and other varieties after FDA clearances at the Polem and Patradevi border.
Fish vendors and customers, however, said the arrival of fish imported from the Konkan region, right from Ratnagiri and Karwar and Mangalore, did not help lower the price of fish despite the fact that the new fishing season has commenced from August 1. In fact, fish continues to be sold at a premium and the high rate in the wholesale fish market on Saturday was attributed to the absence of fish from the local jetties and from the traditional fishermen.
The consignment of the imported fish got exhausted by 8 am as the trucks unloaded crates laden with variety of fish at the market since early morning. The platform at the wholesale fish market, however, was totally empty with the wholesale fish agents, preferring to sell the consignment near their vehicles.
A local hotelier Saish Rajadaxy said though fish was priced on a higher side on Saturday, he exuded confidence that the rates will come down and more varieties of fish will flood the wholesale fish market in the coming days after fresh fish comes from the jetties and the coast. “The imported fish has come into the wholesale fish market after the nod from the FDA at the state borders. We are confident that the Manohar Parrikar-led government will ensure that only fresh and safe fish is allowed entry into the state”, he said.
A wholesale fish agent Maula told media that fish was brought to Goa from the Konkan region. “The fish that was brought into Goa has come from Konkan region. It is fresh and has been tested by FDA”, he said.
Sources in the know said the number of trucks bringing the imported fish into the state may go up on Sunday given the huge demand for fish amongst Goans. Sources informed that the wholesalers have taken a calculated risk by importing restricted quantities given that Goans had stayed away from the markets.
