It was business as usual at fish markets across the state despite several fish trucks being denied entry into the state due to them not having FDA approvals. Since most of the catch was brought in by traditional fishermen, fish markets in Panaji and Margao saw loads of seafood up for grabs at a decent price, putting to rest rumours about fish shortages. However, the formalin scare failed to attract as many buyers. The scene wasn’t too different at the Calangute fish market either. In Margao, there were no takers for imported fish, which was sold at retail price. Squids were being sold at Rs 100 per kg or Rs 150 for 2kg. White and silver pomfrets were priced at Rs 500 per kg, but buyers of more than 1kg got them at Rs 400 a kg. Kingfish sold at Rs 300 a kg. At the wholesale market, there wasn’t much variety, but consumers flocked there for Goan’ fish. A large kingfish was being sold at Rs 1,300 and a basket of mackerels was Rs 400. It was business as usual. Even at the town’s SGPDA market, it wasn’t too different. There, vendors said that business has picked up since the scare in July, but that there are still fears in the minds of consumers, who keep asking whether the fish they’re selling is from outside Goa. At the Calangute fish market, vendors said all the fish available was caught by local fishermen. Fish rates were normal, with a portion of half-a-dozen medium-sized mackerels going for Rs 50. In Panaji, fish vendor Nur Ahmed, who has been in the trade for 35 years, said that as availability of fish decreases, its price will increase. This is the only trade I know. We will continue selling fish as long as the local fishermen have a catch, he said. Another vendor, Umesh Rathod, said there is enough fish in the market, but business is a little down. Either way, we are at the receiving end since the business is affected because people are not willing to make a purchase despite there being ample fish. People still believe that fish is formalin-laced, he said. A banker, Vidhya Nadkarni, has been buying fish from an elderly vendor for the past 20 years, and has complete faith in her. She has always ensured that I get only fresh fish. Even when the formalin issue first broke out, she would tell me which of her fish was iced to keep fresh and which was genuinely fresh. I, therefore, continue to purchase fish only from her, she said. Some vendors, too, have faith in their clients and suppliers and managed to sell most of their stock by afternoon. Even if there is a complete ban on fish purchased from other states, it is not going to affect us because we have our designated local fishermen who only supply to us. When we largely depend on fresh catch, the need to wait for supply from the Margao market is eliminated, said fish vendor Albertina Rodrigues.