The state government’s proposal to ban the import of fish from other states is drawing flak from fish retailers and local fishermen. Several retailers, speaking to this daily on Monday, said that the move would be counterproductive, as it would create a scarcity of fish in the market and lead to a rise in the prices of fish. A retailer in the Panaji fish market said that with an increase in prices, fish will become unaffordable for Goans. He said that the Panaji market receives bulk of its supply from Margao, which is the hub for all fish in the state. Most of the fish arrives from outside, according to the retailer. Menino Afonso, former president of Malim Fishermen Association, said that the move will not harm the local fishermen, as they will have a captive market for their catch. The proposal to ban is actually good for local fishermen, he said, adding that it is bad for consumers, as supply would be affected. Local fish catch is not enough to meet the demand and the state needs to meet the shortage through imports, said Afonso. The fisheries department has no idea of the fish quantity coming in from other states but the fishermen community estimates it to be in the range of 19 trucks per day. They said that some of the imports are for exporting units and the remaining is for local consumption. The state has roughly 80 per cent deficit in its supply of fish, according to fishermen. On Sunday, Minister for Town and Country Planning Vijai Sardesai said that import of fish will be banned due to the formalin-in-fish scare among residents. Until the government is in a position to regulate the fish coming in from other states, the imports need to be banned, he said. The ban is likely to be temporary and would be implemented within a week, said Sardesai. Formalin-in-fish is a festering issue among residents. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane recently said that the Export Inspection Council (EIC), a central agency, would be entrusted with the task of ensuring the quality of fish and for the purpose, a laboratory would be set up. It is, however, not clear when the laboratory will be set up. Goa’s marine fish catch grew 19 per cent in 2017 but it was not enough for the local demand, according to stakeholders.