Bajans flock to markets for Easter buys

Fish vendors were counting their blessings on Thursday, as

Barbadians rushed in their numbers to markets across the island to purchase their fresh seafood ahead of the long Easter weekend.

When Barbados TODAY visited the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex vendors reported a “tremendous” improvement in sales when compared to this same time last year.

However, while admitting that sales had been steady, the fisherfolk at the Berinda Cox Fish Market, Oistins, Christ Church indicated that they expected to see more people coming to buy fish.

The fisherfolk at both markets agreed that people were mostly purchasing turpit and amber fish because at $25 and $45 per five pound respectively, these were among the cheapest buys.

Nevertheless, vendors said that buyers willingly paid between $25 and $30 per pack of 10 flying fish.

Vendor at Bridgetown fisheries, Sandra Hinds, who reported that she was sold out, said that even though the market was busy on Wednesday, Barbadians rushed to the facility on Thursday in large numbers.

“Sales better than last year because we didn’t really have nothing to sell last year, but we had a lot of fish to sell this year.

“But right now everybody buy up the fish already. I sell out, and I don’t have anything else to sell other than a piece of shark, so I am just here helping another vendor sell his turpit. This is the best season we had in a while. Thank God for everything,” she said.

Hinds added: “The flying fish is not as plentiful as it was a few weeks ago, it went back up to $180 per hundred and then on Wednesday the boats started selling them at $200 a hundred and the vendors sold them at $30 a pack. Practically all the flying fish sold out; who has flying fish now is who had put down and they are now preparing them for the hotels’ orders.”

Noted vendor Sharon Bellamy Thompson agreed that while sales could be considered as moderate from Monday, she too noticed the increase in sales from Wednesday.

“I am really thankful and I don’t really complain because every day is a great day for me. People are really buying up the amber fish. They are buying up the flying fish because for the last two to three years the flying fish were not plentiful.

“The boats are still not catching the flying fish in the large numbers that they used to in the past, but Barbadians are buying up whatever flying fish they can get at this time because people want to eat cou cou and flying fish,” Bellamy-Thompson said.

Vendor Maureen Stuart said: “This is the best I have seen the market in quite a few years because we ain’t had fish in a long time. I am very happy to see that people coming to buy the fish, nevermind the flying fish ain’t as plentiful.”

Several vendors at Oistins reported that while they were thankful for whatever sales they got, they believe sales last year were better.

“And yesterday was much better than today and that is why we came here today looking to have a busy day. I notice that people mostly buy the cheap fish, turpits and amber fish and one or two people buy steak fish like the dolphin and marlin,” one vendor at the Berinda Cox Fish Market who requested anonymity said.

Meanwhile, one vendor who only gave her name as Wendy said that even though she heard reports that fisherfolk at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex were benefiting from increased sales, she is thankful for regular customers who supported her business over the past few days.

“It may not be as busy as downtown, but fish selling in Oistins. I am very thankful for whatever fish I was able to sell and I still looking for customers to come when they leave work this evening,” Wendy said.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb