By The Editor
Since earliest times humans have used fish as food which is a good source of protein in their diet and is still true today. There are more than 20,000 species of fishes and they are found all over the world – in lakes, rivers, streams, seas, bays and oceans. They can survive in any type of climate, from the extremely cold Arctic and Antarctic to the heat of the tropics and in the temperate zones. Fishes outnumber all other kinds of similar species and it is humanly difficult to rightly guess how many billions of them live in different habitats. In spite of huge consumption of fishes globally yet there is no decline in their number because rate of growth is very high. Many people are engaged in fishing industry which continues to thrive with the help of improving technological tools and equipment that bring profitable income. Some resort to fishing as sports or pastime that are becoming more popular nowadays. Besides, fish is also used for fishmeal and for production of various types of oils.
Meghalaya depends much on import of the commodity from outside the state to meet its demand since local production is quite minimal. Recently it has been reported that fishes brought from other states were tested positive for formalin which is unpermitted preservative and unfit for human consumption. So state authorities on June 8 issued notification banning sale of imported fish for a period of 15 days in the interest of public health or till further orders depending on the situation. Government has also warned those who do not pay heed will be imprisoned up to seven years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh as per Food Safety & Standard Act, 2006. The following day after the ban fish stalls at Iewduh wore deserted look since fish vendors stayed away from the market.
In order to meet the demand the Directorate of Fisheries the next day asked state’s farmers to take advantage of the situation and to sell local fish in the market although it is quite clear that they cannot meet the huge deficit. At the same time such scenarios are eye-openers to people of Meghalaya that this sector is potential avenue for employment. For the time being government is observing and studying to find remedies so that state’s consumers will get some relief and do not face any problems at all. Fishes brought from outside the state will be strictly checked and examined before they are found fit to be sold to the public. Notably in March 2012 the Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission was launched with the motto ‘ From dependence to self-sufficiency ‘ but sadly like with many similar programmes in the past they have totally failed. It is therefore highly important for authorities to take follow-up actions on all government’s schemes because government’s money is people’s money after all and so to be used and spent wisely for general welfare of public.