Assessment of fish species composition, price and socio-economic conditions of fish vendors community in Ausa fish market in Latur district of Maharashtra

Abstract

An effective fish marketing system is necessary to the expansion of fish production as well as the development of the fishing sector in terms of economy and infrastructure. The survey was necessary because of blackness of the necessary comprehensive information on fish markets, trade, and threats to regulations of consumer safety. Ausa fish markets were selected as study area which were situated in Ausa tehsil of Latur district. The data were collected for a period of six month from January 2022 to June 2022. Thursday in each week of month were selected to collect data in a month. Data collection methods can be divided into two steps. These are questionnaire interview with fish traders, focus group discussion with intermediaries. In the overall research period, Pabda (192.6±23.73) was the most valued fish in the finfish category and Prawn (380.5±10.86) gained maximum price in the shellfish category and at the first position in both categories too. In present study, out of total vendors selling fishes in market, 62% were male and only 38% population where female hence market was dominated by male population. For the development of fish marketing systems, basic facilities like as a clean water supply, sanitary facilities, a sufficient drainage system, icing, flooring, etc., should be ensured. The findings of the research reveal that fish sellers know nothing about sanitation and cleanliness.