weekly update
FLYING FISH continues to be in short supply, and the demand for the local delicacy is driving up the price.
THE
RECORD
Vendor Patricia “Sweet P” Mapp, who has over 20 years’ experience, said compared to the past, flying fish was being sold at its most expensive price yet.
Mapp, who operates at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex on the Princess Alice Highway, The City, said ten boned flying fish were being sold for $25 to $35, while 100 cost $200.
“Years ago, 100 flying fish cost $25 to $35 and even that was expensive, because customers would say they waiting for the price to come down,” she told the DAILY NATION. “People are complaining and skinning up their face but it’s not our fault. From what I understand, a current is taking them down south.”
Fisherman Everton Brathwaite agreed, adding that the influx of seaweed also contributed to the problem.
Another vendor, Richard Small, however explained that the area near Trinidad’s territorial waters where flying fish were usually caught had been off limits for local fishermen for the past month. He said workmen were laying electrical cables in the area and it was too dangerous for fishermen to ply their trade.
Small said that between 2003 and 2012, flying fish was being sold at $35 for 100 or $10/$15 per pack of ten. However, due to reduced quantities being caught, the price was gradually increased. He added that for the past four years, the fish was sold at $200 for 100 and $25/$35 per pack. The price would fluctuate according to how bountiful the catch was. Tyson Bourne pointed to the Sargassum seaweed as the root of the problem, stating that flying fish did not like the weed because they got entangled and became easy prey for large predators.
Rudolph Blackman said amber fish was the hot seller rather than flying fish, going for about $8 per pound, adding he had good sales for the past week. (SB)
TYSON BOURNE
(left) watching as his stall colleague Raymond Thompson lays out marlin cuts.
DAILY
PATRICIA “SWEET P” MAPP said flying fish were being
sold at $200 for 100. (Pictures by Lennox Devonish.)
FISHERMAN EVERTON BRATHWAITE said the influx of Sargassum seaweed contributed to the limited supply of flying fish.
