Customers should expect to pay more for fish this lent, as rough seas and sea sargassum is affecting fishermen from plying their trade.
Fish is the main staple during the Lenten season and those who are partaking may pay forty to fifty dollars per pound for fish.
Along the North Coast of Trinidad, many fishing vessels were grounded due to the rough seas.
Maracas fisherman Patrick Baharat said it’s too risky for fishermen to brave the rough seas.
He added that the bulletin has been in effect since January 29th 2018.
Baharat explained that the rough seas are damaging boats and affecting supply for the Lenten season.
He added there are some fishermen braving the rough seas to fish.
Fisherman Matthew Cupid was one of those who took the risk.
“We have no other choice, we have family to feed”, he said, “Despite the rough seas, the sargassum is also affecting us."
Cupid said his nets are filled with the sea weed and they were only able to get a few fish and abandon their fish expedition.
He added with the combination of the rough seas and sargassum, it will be very difficult to get fish on the table.
In the fishing village of Carenage, fishermen told the Trinidad Guardian that things were slow due to many difficulties faced at sea mostly the rough seas.
However, the Carenage fish vendors did not complain as much as other vendors, stating that the price for fish all comes down to supply and demand.
Carenage Fish Vendor, Desmond Ryan explained that there will not be shortage of fish for the lenten period, but the cost to get it will be a major factor.
“We are getting fish but there are many contradicting factors such as the sea conditions”, he noted, “Fish will cost forty five dollars and more for a pound and these prices are for the favourites such as King Fish and Carite.”
