According to Matsyafed, if fish merchants continue their strike, Matsyafed will directly purchase fish from fishermen.A dispute between fishermen and fish merchants has led to the launch of a mobile fish stall at Punnapra by Matsyafed. It launched the mobile fish unit to help fishermen after fish merchants refused to take load from them following the dispute. The trouble started when fish merchants demanded fishermen to give a basket of fish for free while purchasing five baskets of fish from them. However, the fishermen refused the deal. This led to arguments between the two groups. Due to the protest of fish merchants, the fishermen were forced to sell the fish to small-scale vendors at a low price. At this juncture, Matsyafed stepped in to help the fishermen. The argument between fishermen and fish merchants started on Wednesday when many boats set sail to the sea after Ockhi disaster. Sardine (Mathi) was tas the major catch of the day. In Kayamkulam and Chethy, fishermen earned Rs 2200 to Rs 2500 for a box of sardine which weighed around 50 to 55 kg. Meanwhile, fishermen in Punnapra got Rs 1500 per 50 kg box of fish. After this big sale day, the fish merchants demanded an extra basket fish from fishermen, leading to the dispute. Consequently, a few fishermen declarlared strike against fish merchants on Thursday at Punnapra and Thottappally. Though the District Collector convened a meeting of fishermen and merchants, they failed to reach an agreement. Thereafter, the fish merchants suspended their daily purchase from the harbors here. Matsyafed officials introduced the mobile fish stalls as an alternative solution to the problems of fishermen. Two vehicles took the load to Matsyafed’s Ice and Freezing plant in Kochi. About 17 ton of fish can be stored in the plant. According to Matsyafed, if fish merchants continue their strike, Matsyafed will directly purchase fish from fishermen. Matsyafed is planning to export fish to other states. The officials have held talks with fodder and poultry feed factories in Karnataka for this purpose.