August 16, 2010

Oil spill hits Indian seafood supplies

Traders have cut down supplies by about 30% as the oil spill off Mumbai coast has affected business in Pune's fish market.

Due to the oil spill, traders have been saying that the city receives most of its supply from southern states and citizens prefer to refrain from seafood for some days.

While there are many kiosks selling fish across the city, the main market is located in Ganesh Peth. Vendors have been specifically saying that most of the fish comes from southern states, but customers do not seem to be convinced.

Traders said that besides pomfret, other major seafood varieties like lobster, shrimp, crabs, surmai, ravas and bangada are generally in high demand. But demand lowered after the oil spill.

Meanwhile, market sources claimed that supply from Goa, too, has been badly hit.

"The monsoon season is considered as a slack season for fish business. Otherwise, seafood sales have seen steady increase in Pune in the last few years. Incidents like oil spills badly hit business. We have informed bulk fish suppliers about cutting down on supply and it is a challenge to sell whatever supply we are getting," market sources said.