The Fisheries Department has directed all trawler/canoe owners, fish sellers and fish vendors to comply with the High Court directives and ensure that quality fish is sold in the market to consumers. The Court directives were aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring food safety standards in the region.
The High Court passed an order on January 9, 2024 in the wake of several writ petitions highlighting the need for robust measures to address the issue and the alleged use of formalin in fish. According to the directives, officials from the Directorate of Food & Drugs Administration (FDA) have been instructed to rigorously monitor the quality of fish, ensuring compliance with the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. In cases of non-compliance, officials are directed to take legal action against the violators of law.
Dr Shamila Monteiro, Director of Fisheries, emphasised the importance of adhering to the court’s directives. The Fisheries Director then wrote to The Margao Wholesale Fish Market Association, the Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Co-operative Society, the Cutbona Fisheries Co-Operative Society, the Chapora Boat Owner Fisheries Co-operative Society, the Vasco Fishing Boat owner Marketing Co-Operative Society, and the Zuari Marketing Fisheries Co-operative Society asking the stakeholders to comply with the orders. They were also asked to alert their respective members and various other allied associates about court directives.