The Meterological department has issued warnings over the past few days to fishermen to stay away from high seas owing to bad weather conditions. This has brought about scarcity of fish in local markets making it difficult for fishermen as well as the common man. Although the mandatory 61-day fishing ban has been lifted less than a week ago, fishermen are yet to take their vessels out to sea. Cutbona Boat Owners Association president Savio D’Silva told TOI, “We have refrained from fishing over the last 2-3 days. We will continue to wait till conditions improve.” Franco Martins, a fisherman from Chinchinim, said, “Owing to weather conditions, we are staying away from fishing. We’d rather wait it out than facing life-threatening situations at sea.” Those who did venture into the sea had to return defeated. “About 5-6 boats that went out could only fish in shallow waters. They returned without any fish. The attempt was a waste of fuel, ice and labour,” said a fisherman from Malim jetty. The shortage has led to a price rise of fish within a matter of days. While the prices of sardines, kane fish (saundadi) and crabs have increased by 50; kingfish, mackerel, silver belly (velli) and squids have increased by 100. The prices of lady fish (muddoshi), and mackerels have doubled. With fish being an integral part of the common man’s diet, consumers are finding it harder to deal with the price rise. Vendors have been forced to sell fish from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karwar and Malpai which are supplied to Margao. “We make do with whatever is available at the Margao wholesale fish market. Our business cannot stop because of a minor blip,” said Santosh Chavan, a fish vendor at Panaji market. Dona Paula resident Janet Gonsalves recalls how she would purchase cheaper fish years ago, “In the 70s, I would buy 100 mackerels for 1 but today even if I shell out 1,000, I will not get so many. To get the fish’s gills and scales cleaned itself, I have to pay 20. Fish has not only become pricey but high quality varieties have gone out of the average Goan’s budget.” she lamented.
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