This story is from October 30, 2019

Goa: Fish markets wear forlorn look as weather keeps trawlers anchored

As the sea continues to be rough, preventing fishermen from venturing out, seafood remained in short supply in markets across Goa. The Panaji fish market, usually buzzing with activity in the mornings, wore a forlorn look on Tuesday with way fewer customers and vendors than usual.
Goa: Fish markets wear forlorn look as weather keeps trawlers anchored
The usually-busy Panaji fish market looked deserted on Tuesday
By: Iwona DeSouza and Serilda Coutinho
PANAJI: As the sea continues to be rough, preventing fishermen from venturing out, seafood remained in short supply in markets across Goa. The Panaji fish market, usually buzzing with activity in the mornings, wore a forlorn look on Tuesday with way fewer customers and vendors than usual.
Vendors were mostly seen selling frozen seafood kept on ice, and very few varieties of fish were available for purchase.

Kingfish and sea perch (chonak) were priced at Rs 700 to Rs 800 per kg, a substantial jump from the previous price of Rs 500. The price of sardines has doubled, to Rs 300 a kg from the earlier Rs 150 a kg.
Vendors struggled to sell their frozen produce.
"Due to the rough sea, fishermen are finding it difficult to catch fresh fish," said a vendor at the Panaji market.
Mackerels were being sold for Rs 200 for 5 pieces, a hike by Rs 50 to Rs 100 from the normal prices.
“This situation is just a phase due to the uncertain weather conditions. It will pass. Until then, we would prefer not to buy seafood,” said a senior citizen from Caranzalem, Cecelia D'Souza.

The scarce variety of seafood available has left consumers with very little choice. "We love seafood and are willing to pay the Rs 100 extra, but the market today has no variety and the kinds of fish we love aren’t available," said Martha Fernandes, a Dona Paula resident.
Ponda market received relatively better supply as fishing canoes have started venturing into the shallow waters ."Local fishermen are still afraid to venture deep into the sea as it is risky. The fresh fish available in the market is from the shallow waters," said Bernadine, a local fish vendor from Margao.
Nevertheless, there still seems to be a hike in price. "Prices have increased by Rs 50- Rs100 compared to the rates from before the cyclone, as the catch is less now," said Shiva a vendor at the Ponda market. Due to the choppy sea, the catch largely consists of smaller fish like sardines and mackerels.
Before the cyclonic storm hit, there was a higher quantity of fish offered for the current prices, as supply was steady.
"Earlier, the price for a kilo of small pomfret was around Rs 400 but now the same size of fish is being sold at Rs 600 per kg,” said Chitra Borkar, a vendor from the Ponda market.
Prices of freshwater fish have increased as well as the catch is too small to fetch profits. "It costs Rs 500 per day to hire a boat, so if the catch is not good enough, we have to hike our prices to make up that cost," said Girija, a vendor of freshwater fish from Ponda.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA