In an effort to improve the livelihood of fishermen, the Fisheries Department will soon study facilities at fish markets across the State. It will also collect the requirements of fishermen and the demands for any new markets. Sources in the department said consultants will be appointed soon. We are waiting for the election code of conduct to come to a close. The consultant will help us in understanding the needs in a better manner so that we can improve the markets with better facilities and bring in more customers, the official explained. The department will also educate fishers on how to keep the facilities clean, which will also help them improve their income from sale of fish that they catch. At present, most markets are under the control of local bodies. We will take up the issue of upkeep and maintenance with the civic bodies concerned, he said. In cases where the markets are located inside fishing hamlets, it will be easier for members of local cooperative societies or fisher panchayat sabhas to maintain the markets. Many fishermen associations have been complaining that existing fish markets need to be upgraded and new ones must be built to improve their livelihood. The South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association has been saying that private retail chains and online fish websites were slowly eating into the sales of fishers. When small retail markets are not clean and are smelly, consumers don’t want to enter them to buy fish. They don’t mind paying more at retail chains. This must change, said K. Bharathi of the association. M.D. Dayalan of the South Indian Fishermen Association suggested that members of the fisher cooperatives could be given the responsibility to maintain markets. Merely washing with water is not enough. Steps must be taken to keep the markets clean. There is also a need for cold storage facilities in markets. Space must also be provided for consumers to park vehicles and shop in peace, he said.
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