Fish vendors make brisk trade

Just as predicted, most Barbadians waited until the day before Good Friday to purchase fish for their planned Easter meals.

Vendors at the Berinda Cox Fishing Complex conducted a brisk trade yesterday, as persons from all walks of life descended on the fish market located in Oistins, Christ Church, to buy mainly dolphin and flying fish.

The vendors there did not have time to complain about poor sales as they did earlier in the week, as they were kept busy throughout the day, as the customers arrived in quick succession to make their purchases from their preferred fish vendors.

Fish vendor Natasha Clarke was the first to share her experience for the day with the Barbados Advocate, but she had to wait for a brief break in sales, to do so.
“So far for the morning half it hasn’t been bad, because I have been busy on my feet all the time, but it is not as busy as previous years,” she remarked.
“People are coming looking mostly for dolphin, but dolphin sales are really slow, because as you know, the boats weren’t bringing them in, so sales for dolphin are down,” she quickly added.

Pointing to a sign marked “Ready Boned Flying Fish for $16”, she however noted, “Flying fish sales have been good. They are always good.”

As to the profile of customers visiting the fish market, Clarke noted that it was a good mix, as both young and old were making their selection of fish for the Easter period. Noting that more young people are trying their hand at cooking, Clarke suggested that this was likely the reason a younger demographic is now seen regularly visiting the market.

Shontelle Brathwaite, one of six workers at Fresh Fish House in the Berinda Complex, also acknowledged the Bajan tradition of waiting at the last minute to purchase fish, as this was her experience as well, at the booth at which she works.

She however was glad to see things picking up, ahead of Good Friday.

“We can’t complain. The sales have been going well from morning, I would say from 7’ o’clock and we ain’t cut out yet” she told this newspaper, as she too noted that the choice for Barbadians was dolphin and flying fish.

Over at the Survival Fish Stop booth, the workers there were also hard at work, in keeping with the hive of activity throughout the market. Whilst a bit shy, one worker admitted that Barbadians were last minute shoppers when it came to buying fish for Easter and again the fish of choice was dolphin first and then flying fish, which came in for a close second.

Also on offer for those requiring a different taste were swordfish, kingfish, tuna, marlin and shark. (RSM)