Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said that modalities are being worked out to grant relaxation to small-time fishermen, who have been procuring fish from within 60 km vis-à-vis Sindhudurg and Karwar areas of the neighbouring states. He said that during a meeting held on Monday at the Secretariat with the secretary (health) and other concerned officials, it was decided to depute South Goa designated officer of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Iva Fernandes at the Margao wholesale fish market from December 11. The minister said that many fish traders without permission are trying to enter Goa with fish vehicles through small-time fishermen, which will not be allowed. We are not trying to create trouble for anybody, but want to help the fish traders get valid permissions. The government is taking one step forward and we expect the same cooperation from the other side to resolve the issue, he said. The Health Minister reiterated that all the fish traders need to fulfil the requirements and comply with the directives of FDA. He said that fish boxes confiscated on Saturday have been sent to the Saligao garbage treatment plant to destroy the fish. Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister for state Deepak Kesarkar held a meeting with Rane at the Secretariat over fish. Rane said that a discussion was held on a proposal to start wholesale fish market in Pernem for Sindhudurg fish. He said that the Maharashtra government is ready to spend money on the proposed project. Meanwhile, no trucks carrying fish consignments entered the wholesale fish market on Monday. The fish available in the market was brought by Goan trawlers and ramponnkars’. Sources in the FDA said that a rickshaw carrying fish was stopped at the Pollem border and as the owner could not provide details of the consignment, the vehicle was sent back from the border area. Food and Drug Administration officials visited the wholesale fish market in the wee hours of Monday but did not check for fish samples, as no fish-laden trucks entered the market. A couple of fish trucks were seen parked since Sunday night at the wholesale fish market even though the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has clearly given instructions not to park the vehicles inside the fish market after 9 am till 3.30 am or 4 am the next day. Sources said that the export of fish was also limited on Monday.