In an attempt to control the fish market in Assam, Dispur has planned to merge the Assam Apex Cooperative Fish Marketing and Processing Federation Ltd (Fishfed) with the state fisheries department soon. At present, Fishfed is run under the cooperative department. The decision to merge Fishfed with the fisheries department was taken in a cabinet meeting in October 2017 and the final notification to implement the decision was issued by Dispur in June 2018. Fishfed is the apex cooperative federation to help the state’s fishermen for their socio-economic development through primary fisheries cooperative societies by increasing production of fish through member societies and through its own project. Its another aim is marketing the produce through various markets and sales booths of Fishfed by eliminating middlemen, assuring better price for fishermen and an assured market for consumers. “It will help mainly in marketing management and to implement any project as both Fishfed and the fisheries department deal with the same matter. So, in most of the cases we need help of the department and the process becomes lengthy. Now, it will be short and easier,” an official of Fishfed said. Reacting to uncontrolled price at local fish markets, an official said: “Fish is a perishable product; so it is impossible to control the market. Moreover, in Assam, there is lack of proper storage facilities for local fish. So, despite lots of resources in Assam, market of imported fish is running so well.” The notification issued by the administrative reforms and training department of Assam said: “With merging Fishfed with the fisheries department, the name Fishfed will remain unchanged. The fisheries department and Fishfed shall endeavour to strengthen and develop fish production, processing and marketing in Assam. “Moreover, the employees and all assets and liabilities of Fishfed shall remain with Fishfed at the time of this transfer and there will be no additional financial implication on the state exchequer. Fishfed, being a registered cooperative society, will be regulated and managed as per the Assam Cooperative Societies Act, 2007. The appointment of managing director and matters relating to appointments of board of directors will be done by the fisheries department.” In Assam, according to information revealed by officials of the fisheries department, annual production of fish is around 3.07 lakh tonnes against the annual market demand of around 3.43 lakh tonnes. “Under Fishfed, altogether 516 cooperative societies were working for fish production, but because of various reasons, most of them have now become inactive. Moreover, Assam lacks proper market-oriented production,” a Fishfed official said.