Catfish market booms in Indore; Fisheries dept to take an action against the banned fish rearing and sale next week in March 2021
Despite the restrictions imposed by the central and state government, the deadly Magur fish or catfish is again seen in Indore’s fish markets.
Farming of Catfish has been banned since 2000 because of its highly predatory nature which, according to the tribunal would affect the ecological balance of water bodies.
Catfish is popular among consumer as it’s cheap and has a good market share. Recently, it has been flooding Indore’s market.
Officials of the fisheries department have received several complaints about rearing and sale of Catfish. Officials have planned to take strict action against this from next week.
Another reason for Catfish is reared despite the ban is ‘when removed from the water, it remains alive for a very long time and is considered carnivores’.
There have been reported health problems arising from consumption of catfish. Enteric septicemia of catfish disease is caused by pathogen Edwardsiella ictaluri, is one of the most serious diseases of catfish. The disease was first reported in 1976 (citiation from Hawke et al., 1981).
Due to this, the sale and rearing of this fish was banned abroad. Later, it was banned across the country on the direction of the Central Government. Due to the ban, along with the rearing of Catfish, its sale was also banned.
Joint Director of fisheries department also issued a reminder order banning this fish and prohibited its rearing and sale across the state on Saturday.
Despite this, catfish is being reared in various parts of city.
Low priced temptation: dangerous catfish
Usually, the fish that are sold at shops across the city are priced between Rs 200 and Rs 1,200 per kg. Catfish is being sold at Rs 100 per kg.
Due to its low pricing, most people opt for buying catfish boosting its production, sale and risking their health.
Some people claim that catfish is often used in superstitions as well.
Strict actions from next week
“There is a ban on rearing and selling Catfish in Madhya Pradesh. Despite this, the department is constantly receiving complaints about its sales. From Monday, the staff of the department will take strict action against the fisherman and his secret salesmen by campaigning.”
Mahendrakumar Pankhede,
District Officer
Fisheries Department
Indore
Farming of Catfish has been banned since 2000 because of its highly predatory nature which, according to the tribunal would affect the ecological balance of water bodies.
Catfish is popular among consumer as it’s cheap and has a good market share. Recently, it has been flooding Indore’s market.
Officials of the fisheries department have received several complaints about rearing and sale of Catfish. Officials have planned to take strict action against this from next week.
Another reason for Catfish is reared despite the ban is ‘when removed from the water, it remains alive for a very long time and is considered carnivores’.
There have been reported health problems arising from consumption of catfish. Enteric septicemia of catfish disease is caused by pathogen Edwardsiella ictaluri, is one of the most serious diseases of catfish. The disease was first reported in 1976 (citiation from Hawke et al., 1981).
Due to this, the sale and rearing of this fish was banned abroad. Later, it was banned across the country on the direction of the Central Government. Due to the ban, along with the rearing of Catfish, its sale was also banned.
Joint Director of fisheries department also issued a reminder order banning this fish and prohibited its rearing and sale across the state on Saturday.
Despite this, catfish is being reared in various parts of city.
Low priced temptation: dangerous catfish
Usually, the fish that are sold at shops across the city are priced between Rs 200 and Rs 1,200 per kg. Catfish is being sold at Rs 100 per kg.
Due to its low pricing, most people opt for buying catfish boosting its production, sale and risking their health.
Some people claim that catfish is often used in superstitions as well.
Strict actions from next week
“There is a ban on rearing and selling Catfish in Madhya Pradesh. Despite this, the department is constantly receiving complaints about its sales. From Monday, the staff of the department will take strict action against the fisherman and his secret salesmen by campaigning.”
Mahendrakumar Pankhede,
District Officer
Fisheries Department
Indore