KOZHIKODE: Fish sales have been affected after Cyclone Ockhi, as there is speculation that decayed human bodies are floating in the sea. The Kerala State Committee of All Kerala Fish Merchant Association has decided to take a stand against the spreading rumors as well as other fishermen’s and fish merchants’ issues such as the fisheries bill to change the government’s stand on the fisheries sectors and consider fish merchants views when conceiving policies.
“The rumours that the fish eat humans and therefore it would affect the health of people are baseless. One should think that, in a sea where anchovies and sharks live, no harm will come from these sea creatures. These dead bodies have decomposed and the fish have not eaten them. If such was the case, we would not have recovered dead bodies from the sea more than a week after the cyclone”, said KPMK Kunji, State president of the All Kerala Fish Merchant Association, in a press meet. He admitted that between these rumours and the Mandalakaalam season, fish sales had decreased 20 to 25 per cent.
But the Hotel and Restaurant Association has denied this speculation stating that Ockhi has not affected the demand for dishes made out of fish. “The availability of fish has reduced but the demand is still there. Today the ayala (Indian mackerel) fry is fully sold out, which is proof that the demand is still on”, said N Sugunan, State secretary of Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association.
