Where has the great Goan mackerel gone?

Where’s the great Goan mackerel gone? Fish vendors, fishermen, trawler owners and the fish-loving Goan all have this common question to ask as the mackerel, considered the common man’s fish, is still not seen in plenty in the fish markets across the state.  

Fish exporters too are grappling with a similar query and appeared a worried lot since mackerel has been one of the fish varieties exported out of the country during this time of the year.  

While Oman is believed to have witnessed a bumper landing of the mackerel this season, fishermen here are still waiting for a major catch of mackerels at the fishing jetties, throwing up a host of questions on the disappearance of the common man’s fish. 

Only baby mackerel netted by the traditional fishermen along the coast finds its way to the markets, while the big size full grown mackerel has still not hit the jetties and the markets till date. The situation has pushed the price of the full grown mackerel higher with 10 mackerels being sold for Rs 500, and thus beyond the reach of the common

 man.  

Owners of fishing vessels, exporters and retail fish vendors are all keeping their fingers crossed. 

Many say the presence of some black fish in the sea, locally known as kargil, which goes as waste to the fish meal plants, has driven away mackerel from the coast. 

However, the fishermen are confident that they will soon net the prized mackerel once the black fish 

disappears.  

Says the Purse Seine Owners Association general secretary Seby Cardozo: “It’s true that the markets have witnessed a shortage of the Goan mackerel this season, but the reasons are varied and many. Some say mackerel does not come close to the coast when the black fish is around. Though around two and half months have gone since the new fishing season began on August 1, I still hope that mackerel will hit the markets as usual in the days ahead.”  

Says President of Cutbona Boat Owners Union, Savio D’Silva: “Unlike in the past, mackerels have not seen any major landing this season, but we are optimistic of a good catch in the coming 

days.”  

Fish exporters, who depend on the landing of mackerels at the jetties within and outside the state, to push their exports say the virtual absence of the mackerel has hit the exports till date. And, they complained that along with mackerel, other variety of fish is also not available in the market in abundance this season.

 In fact, fish exporter M Ibrahim informed that shortage of mackerels has hit the fish exports drastically this year. And, the absence of other variety of fish including squids, ribbon fish et al, has come in the way of exports as well. 

“Fish exporters used to dispatch around 150-180 containers for export around this time of the year, but we are today struggling to send even 50 fish containers,” Ibrahim said, hoping for a turnaround in the 

situation.  

Incidentally, while kingfish has found its way to the markets, with the rate hovering around Rs 300 to Rs 400 depending on the size of the fish, the mackerel is still away from the common man’s plate till date.