TAWAU: Fish vendors at the markets here are still selling at the old prices despite depleting catch and stock due to the imposed curfew.
“We still maintain our price, but fresh fish is scarce, and according to suppliers, their stocks are depleting,” said Lee who operates a stall at Sin Onn Market.
He said his only worry was that the fish would not be as fresh as before as Sin Onn Market is well known for its fresh fish.
At Semarak Market, Mohd Padeng said his supplier told him that the catch was not as much as before due to the curfew and suppliers’ stocks were depleting.
“Fish caught by trawlers are few, and we understand the problem. For the moment, we fishmongers will maintain our price; there is no increase though fish stocks are getting low,” he said.
Mohd Padeng said he was worried that there would be less fish to sell as the curfew had been extended to August 17. He hoped that it would not affect the income of those in the business.
Tawau Fishery Association chairman Arsani Arsat when contacted said he could not comment on the matter yet as the association would be having a meeting on the matter with the authority.
However, he agreed fish catch was low and stocks were depleting. He assured that suppliers would not increase their prices to take advantage of the shortage.
Consumers when met at the market, said if the fish supply were to drop, they could buy chicken meat or beef.
They are not that worried about the shortage for now as supplies could be sent from other districts not under curfew.
The 6pm to 6am curfew covering the waters off six districts in Sabah’s east coast, implemented to check attacks by foreign gunmen, has been extended until further notice from Sunday.
The dusk-to-dawn curfew was implemented on July 19 for 14 days in the waters off the districts of Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau following an attack by foreign gunmen on two policemen at the Mabul Water Bungalows in Semporna on July 12.
It covers an area from three nautical miles offshore of the six districts, stretching a distance of 362 nautical miles from Sandakan to the Tawau jetty and encompassing 121,270 sq nautical miles.