A study on fish marketing system in Kolkata and adjoining areas

Abstract

The present study was aimed to assess the marketing system and fish diversity in West Bengal, India. The survey was carried out from March, 2023 to October, 2023 from three fish markets in Kolkata and adjoining districts namely Patipukur fish market in Kolkata district, Krishnapur fish market in North 24 Parganas district and Bantala fish market in South 24 Parganas. A total of 45 fish sellers were directly interviewed through focused questionnaire which showed availability of 58 fin fishes and shell fishes of 32 families from those markets. Cyprinidae was the most diverse family with 12 species followed by Engraulidae (04 species) and Sciaenidae (03 species). The variations in fish prices were linked with the seasons, size, quality, quantity of available fishes and demand, the affordability of the people living around the market. Marine fishes were high priced than the fresh water species due to using cold storage and ice preservation.