Merchants’ decision to stop all fishes irks consumers

SHILLONG: After the ban on imported fishes for 15 days from July 23, the decision of the Khasi Jaintia Fish Wholesellers and Retailers Association the next day to completely halt sale of all kinds of fishes has irked consumers. The Fisheries Department is also keeping mum on the matter.
When the matter was brought to the notice of the government on Thursday, a senior government official said the fish merchants cannot put a blanket ban on the sale of fishes.
“The notification is very clear. We have imposed restriction only on imported fishes and not on local fishes which are saleable,” the official said.
Besides the main fish market at Bara Bazar, other outlets all over the city were also deserted since July 24 after the local fish merchants decided to halt the sale of fishes.
Several consumers were surprised over the stand of the fish merchants as local fishes were not available.
There are also suggestions emerging from consumers that the Fisheries Department with the support of the fish association can arrange the sale of local fishes.