ISLAMABAD: The sale of fish witnessed a record increase during current winter as compared to past couple of years in the local markets of the twin cities.
“Fish sale remained five times high this winter as compared to a couple of years ago, mainly owing to its affordable prices,” Fisheries Development Board Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Junaid Wattoo said on Sunday.
Commenting on low prices during a chit-chat with APP, he said, a number of fish sellers directly purchased fish from farms instead of the whole-sale market, passing on the price benefit to the consumers.
According to field research officers of Fisheries Development Board, there are two exotic and 26 indigenous fish species in the country. “We have introduced “Tilapia” fish from Thailand, which is more delicious and economical and available for sale in different markets of twin cities,” he added.
The official said the fish farmers are facilitated besides sharing with them new research and innovations in fish farming to enhance fish production. Being a healthy food and winter delight, the vendors sell sish in Commercial Market, Saidpur Road, College Road, Sadiqabad, in Rawalpindi and Melody Market, Super Market, Aabpara Market and some other places in Islamabad.
Shahid Hussain, owner of a fish shop at Commercial Market, who is in this business for the last 12 years, informed that his business was at its peak this winter. “I earned three to four times high this winter as people preferred to eat fish due to its affordable prices this winter.”
Another fish stall-holder at Saidpur Road said, retail prices of different kinds of fish like Salmon remained between Rs 500-800, per kilogram, Black Rahu at Rs250-320, Mahsher at Rs 280-350, Silver at Rs 250 and Mushka at Rs 500 per kg in different market of twins cities. The fish supplies mainly come from fish farms in Alipur (Gujranwala), Mandi Bahauddin and Azad Kashmir.
According to a medical expert at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr.Waseem Khawaja, fish is useful in preventing cardiac problems and paralysis among elderly people. He said, fish is also useful for the blood pressure patients as proteins and carbohydrates are abundantly found in it.
