Eight modern fish market complexes planned

The state fisheries department is planning to set up eight modern wholesale fish market complexes in the state with an investment of Rs 5.60 crore.

The proposed markets will come up at Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Nellore, Karimnagar, Miryalaguda, Bhimavaram, Eluru and Vijayawada.

The fisheries department is taking up these market complexes, based on the recommendations by McKinsey & Co, which was appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2003 to study the growth prospects in the fish market segment.

After studying the wholesale fish marketing system in Thailand, the consultant suggested that wholesale fish marketing complexes be constructed in the state to boost the domestic fish marketing. At present, the fishery potential in the state is around 13 lakh tonnes a year.

"The proposed modern fish market complexes will be equipped with loading and unloading facilities, auction halls, weighing machines, marketing information centres with digital display boards, offices for fish traders, dormitories for fishermen and canteens," said the officials in the state fisheries department.

The fish market complexes will also have access to facilities like ice plants, cold storage plants, internet and other communication facilities.

"The representatives of the state fisheries department, marketing department, fishermen cooperative societies, fish farmers' associations and fish traders' association will jointly manage these modern wholesale fish market complexes. Once these market complexes are completed, fish farmers can directly dispose of their seafood at these markets. The market complexes will also help the fishermen and fish traders get better prices for their fish products," the sources informed.

"The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) is assisting the fisheries department in setting up the fish market complex in Visakhapatnam, the biggest centre for seafood trade in the state. At present, we are on the look-out for a suitable place in the city to set up this complex,"D Srinivasulu, the vice-chairman of VUDA, told Business Standard .