By Saikou Suwareh Jabai
The fishing communities have experienced a low catch over the past days resulting to a hike in the prices of fresh and smoked fish.
This reporter visited the Tanji Fish Landing Site to find out why the price increment and how it affects those in the trade.
At the Tanji beach over the weekend, a pan of fresh fish costs D450 and some even sold it at D500. Four pieces of ‘yaaybouy’ and ‘cobo’ cost D10. As of Sunday evening, only few fresh ‘maroc’ fish were seen on sale and its price was a little more expensive than that of ‘yaaybouy and cobo’.
The price of ‘white fishes’ also hiked. Depending on the types and sizes, there are various prices that are tagged to them. The price hike is due to the fact that only few of them were caught by the boats that went to the sea for fishing.
For the price of smoked fish, three pieces cost D10. Out of the many fish processing centres on the beach, only three stalls were seen processing.
Speaking to Foroyaa, one Alimatou Bojang, a wholesale fish dealer said the price of fish fluctuates. This, she added, is the nature of their business. She added that whatever the situation is on the beach is reflected at the various markets. She said they as wholesalers do not intentionally increase the price of fish. “It is D450 today but sometimes we sell it at D200, even D100 on some occasions. That’s how the business looks,” she explained.
A buyer, Mariama Secka, also spoke to this reporter, adding that she is living in Batokunku and always does her shopping at the fish landing site. She said the price of fresh fish is very expensive but maintained that there is no cause to blame. She attributed it to low amount of fish caught, saying ‘probably Senegalese fishermen have gone to their country to observe the ‘Koriteh’ feast that’s why there is inadequate catch.
A Gambian fisherman, Modou Johm, said the low catch is due to unfavorable weather conditions that makes it difficult for them to effectively fish. He added that the beach is usually characterized by heavy winds and that on such occasions, fish most often go deep down the water as it is easier to adapt.
Asked if the low catch is due to the Senegalese fishermen who went to their country for ‘Koriteh’ prayers, he denied that claim and added that even though some went to observe the feast, the reason for the low catch is not due to human resources but the situation at sea.
