Fish sellers told to use market not roadside |16 October 2009

They were visited by the authorities recently and asked to move their fish from pallets by the roadside – where they have been selling it – to the market, which they should use instead.

The decision was taken because the practice was not hygienic and because motorists and pedestrians who stopped to buy fish at the roadside were posing a danger for others.

The authorities involved in the move were the Food Control Unit of the Ministry of Health, the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) and the Police Department.

Food control officer Daniel Bresson spoke of the unhygienic conditions that fish were being sold under and the various related health risks.

“Fish were being exposed to avoidable environmental contaminants such as dust, bird droppings and car exhaust fumes when sold at the roadside,” he said.

“The wooden pallets and other surfaces on which fish is displayed are often left unattended and exposed to other contaminants such as urine and faeces of stray dogs and rodents. This could lead to serious health consequences including leptospirosis.

“These surfaces, especially the wooden pallets, are porous and absorb, among other things, bacteria which could lead to diseases.”

Mr Bresson explained that fish exposed to the sun will dehydrate, which significantly affects the fishes’ muscles and reduces the quality. Also, some species will, in sunlight, accumulate a chemical allergen named histamine, which could pose a risk to consumers.
 
The authorities agreed that fish sold at the market or a fish stall will have some protection against the above problems. Also, cleanliness and hygiene will be easier to maintain, along with disinfection of fish contact surfaces, proper drainage, availability of treated water and proper collection and disposal of solid waste.

All this will lead to fish having a much better keeping quality than if it is exposed to sunlight.

Sellers have previously complained that their fish is not clearly visible or eye-catching when displayed at the Roche Caïman market.

But Clifford Toussaint, representing the SFA, said the government will soon move them to another nearby site, where they and farmers will have all the amenities they need, including facilities for mooring, loading/unloading and storage for their engines and other equipment.

The new market, south of the Eden Island bridge, is having its plans finalised and is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

The SFA is calling on everyone in the fishing industry to use the facilities at their disposal. The ban on selling fish by the roadside applies to all sites, it adds.

The police have said they will regularly patrol the Roche Caïman area to deter vendors from going back to selling fish by the roadside.