Usually, at this time of the year, mackerels flood the Goan fish markets. But the start of the season has been unusual and the quantity of mackerels flooding the markets is not all that great.
Also, the fish is beyond the reach of the common man.
This has thrown up a question whether the government would make available fish at subsidized rates, especially the varieties that are generally consumed by Goans at large.
In the absence of any price control mechanism from the government, mackerels, known as the common man’s fish, is being sold at a premium.
There are other factors that have contributed to price rise. There is a delay in the arrival of the migrant manpower to work on the fishing vessels. In the absence of the workers, boats don’t venture out ans so the dearth of fish, including mackerels.
It is now a month and a half since the new fishing season began on August 1, but mackerels are hardly seen in large quantities in the fish markets. And, the scarce supply is being sold at a premium, with three mackerels sold for Rs 200 and the cost of 6-7 of these at Rs 500.
At other places, mackerels are being sold in kilograms at a price ranging from Rs 300-350, only indicating that gone are the days when this fish was available in baskets at affordable rates.
Boat owners and traditional fishermen say that the fishing boats are yet to net a big catch of mackerels in the state till date. And, this situation has only come as a blessing for some persons to make a quick buck and sell mackerels at a premium.
A fisherman pointed out that mackerels have not yet been netted in a big way this season so far, primarily because of the weather conditions. Even boat owners claimed that Tuna fish has turned out to be the primary catch so far.
During the last season, mackerel-loving Goans had to buy the fish in kilograms at a premium throughout the season. And, the intervening lockdown, beginning from March 22 last, the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Janata Curfew, only made matters worse with all varieties of fish sold at a premium.
“We only hope that Goans will not be forced to buy mackerels in kilograms this season like last year. In that case, the government will have to step in to at least make available the common fish consumed by Goans at subsidized rates,” remarked a customer at the Margao retail fish market.
