Margao, May 13 (TNN): The sole wholesale fish market in Goa, the SGPDA market in Margao, remained shut for business on Tuesday as fish coming from outside Goa didn't enter the state on account of the protest strike by Margao fish market association (MFMA).

The MFMA has decided to stop sale of fish from outside the state on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest some members of the Cutbona boat owners' association preventing fish-laden vehicles from Maharashtra from entering the wholesale fish market on Monday morning.

Only local fish was available for sale at the wholesale fish market on Tuesday.

At the retail fish market in Margao too, there was an acute scarcity of fresh fish. The previous day's stock was sold to customers and that largely made up for the shortage. Besides, as fresh water fish is also available these days, people chose to buy this variety to replace the regular types. Taking advantage of the situation, some enterprising fishermen hiked the prices of local variety of fish on Tuesday. Sources said customers are likely to be hit hard on Wednesday as the dwindling stocks will widen the demand-supply gap leading to skyrocketing prices of fish. Fish dealers maintained that there was no unreasonable hike in prices of fish. Sardines were sold at s30 per kg, while Kingfish was sold at 1,200 per kg.

The most-affected, though, were the 'cycle-wallah' fish vendors who sell fish in villages riding bicycles. A mad rush by retailers was witnessed at the wholesale fish market as very few pick-ups brought in fish netted by the small boat owners from Goa.

Later in the day, members of the Cutbona Boat Owners development union (CBODU), hit out against the MFMA holding them responsible for the fish crisis. "The wholesale fish agents, most of whom are from outside Goa, and who have no love for Goa or Goans, are all out to make more profits by closing the fish market. We will not take this lying down and will fight till the Goan trawler owners get justice," Cipriano C of the CBODU said.

Velim MLA Benjamin Silva, who was also present with the CBODU members, pledged his support to the cause of the Goan trawler owners.

With a view to tide over the fish crisis, the CBODU has decided to sell the entire catch on Wednesday in the Goan markets. "We usually send 80% of the catch to neigbouring states. We will also place a proposal before the fisheries department to provide vans to fishing societies to sell fish to Goan villages," Elvis Gomes of CBODU said. Nearly 90% of the fish requirement of Goa is catered to by fish from out of state. Besides catering to the fish-loving populace of urban as well as rural areas of Goa, the SGPDA's wholesale fish market is a major source of fish supplies to Belgaum, Sawantwadi, Kudal and Khanapur markets as well.