SHILLONG: The lockdown may have fuelled an insatiable craving for fresh fish among city dwellers but markets here rarely sell local varieties, not even in this time of lockdown when supply from outside was initially affected.
A Jyrwa, assistant director at the Directorate of Fisheries, said on Tuesday that local fish are not brought to Shillong because there is a high demand in rural areas.
“Due to this high demand, the fish are all sold off the moment they are taken to the village markets,” she said.
The total quantity of local fish sold during the lockdown period, from March 22 to April 18, in all districts is 20,182 kg, according to information provided by the Directorate of Fisheries.
Jyrwa said Garo Hills and Ri Bhoi have more production of fish and East Jaintia Hills is also doing well as it is near the border areas and the climatic condition is favourable for pisciculture.
As for the hatcheries, the official said the border areas, where temperature varies between 27-30°C, are doing well in farming varieties of fish.
Depending on the climatic condition, fish such as gonius (Kha Ski), common carp, silver carp and grass carp are reared in Shillong.
The Fisheries Department has a fish seed farm for common carp on its premises and those are sold for Rs 350 per thousand fishlings. But fish farmers have to book. Fish seeds for common carp will be available from May and those for other species will be available in June-July.
With the ongoing Aqua Culture Mission, there is a demand for fish seeds from all areas.
On paddy-cum-fish culture, Jyrwa said it is mostly done in parts of West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills by farmers who have their own paddy fields.
Meanwhile, president of Fish Wholesaler and Retailer Association Mitchell Wankhar said earlier 24 tonnes used to come from Andhra Pradesh brought by trucks but the current inflow is 10-12 tonne which is affecting the market and consumers have to pay high price for rohu and katla, which are mainly imported.