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And the authorities are also advising fishermen not to sell their fish by the road because the practice is not hygienic, public health commissioner Jude Gedeon said at a press conference recently.

Fish discharges a large amount of blood, which will automatically lead to contamination and produce bacteria, he added.
The smell also attracts animals such as dogs, cats and even rats, which then leave their droppings at the site, adding to the risk of infection.

Dr Gedeon said the way the fish are displayed by the roadside is not hygienic and can be harmful to our health due to the toxic fumes and hydro-carbons from passing traffic.

Another reason why the authorities are cracking down on such fish sales is that they can cause traffic congestion and accidents when vehicles stop.

Also speaking at the press conference, road transport commissioner David Bianchi said: “We are reinforcing our work to ensure that people respect the law and that, under the Road Transport Act, such actions are penalised.”

He said the section under which people can be penalised is: Stopping so as to cause an unnecessary obstruction to traffic flow.

Mr Bianchi said his department is working in close collaboration with the police and will step up efforts in places where the risks are greater.

Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) chief executive Ina Henriette said the plan is to ensure fishermen use facilities at the markets in their districts to sell their fish.

“The work being done is not only at Roche Caïman but in all districts on Mahe, as well as on Praslin and La Digue,” she said.
She said the SFA will move to other districts and urge fishermen to use the facilities that are available.

In districts where there is no market, the SFA will put in place temporary facilities until there are enough funds to provide one.

She said the SFA invites fishermen to take part in meetings organised when a market is being planned in a district. During these meetings, fishermen are invited to give their suggestions and share their views on the best way and place to build it.

Miss Henriette said it is difficult to get all fishermen to attend because of the way they work, but in places such as Anse Etoile, fishermen and the community are using the market in a proper manner and took an active part in planning it.

She said in the case of Roche Caïman not all fishermen attended the meetings, and on some occasions only one fisherman turned up.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development will now educate fishermen on the risks and disadvantages of selling their fish by the roadside and bring more awareness to consumers of the dangers to their health.

Dr Gedeon said if this strategy does not work, the law will then have to be used, under the Public Health Act, which authorises certain measures to be taken to rectify health problems.