Varieties of fish at Machuatoli market in Patna. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Jan. 11: Mustard and pepper do not make rohu curry spicy enough for fish lovers in the state capital because the finned favourites picked up from markets are often two to three days old.

Early morning visitors to Machuatoli and Samiti Bazaar often see large trucks of fish arriving from Andhra Pradesh or Bengal. But rohu and katla that come in the trucks are not as delicious as the fish lovers would like them to be. Connoisseurs of fish delicacies often have to settle for carp preserved on ice for three or four days when they cook the favourite curry.

Fresh local fish is also available, but their quantity is too low and prices too high. While the Andhra variety of rohu is priced at Rs 90 per kilo, the fresh Patna variety comes for Rs 200.

Another favourite, katla, is equally dear. The delicacies from Andhra are available for only Rs 120, but you would have to shell out double if you want fresh katla.

“Fish preserved on ice does not taste as good as the fresh ones. But what can we do? We are regular fish eaters, and the local fish is too expensive. We cannot afford it. So, we have to settle for iced fish,” said Kankerbagh resident Ajay Kumar Choudhary.

Not that Patna is deprived of opportunities of supplying the finned favourites. Three rivers — Ganga, Punpun and Sone — in close vicinity should provide ample opportunity for a bumper supply. But in the markets, there is a shortage of 16,000 metric tonnes. Supplies from Andhra Pradesh compensate much of the shortage.

Fish lovers also complained that fishmongers often try to pass off iced fish as fresh. Experts, however, claim that it is possible to identify iced fish and prevent being duped.

Nishad Ahmad, director, fisheries department, said: “Fish preserved on ice will have blue eyes and black gills while fresh ones have red gills and yellow lining on their eyes.”

Citizens are, however, less concerned about identifying fresh fish and more about knowing when they can get it at affordable prices.

Ashok Nagar resident Vinod Singh said: “If I want to eat local mangur, I have to shell out anything between Rs 200 to Rs 250, whereas the Thai mangur that comes from Bengal is cheaper. I can get that for Rs 70 to Rs 90. I fail to understand that why the state government cannot produce enough fish. Why do we have to depend on Andhra Pradesh and Bengal?”

Officials claim it will take around five years before Bihar becomes self-sufficient.

Ahmad said: “Bihar is not able to meet its fish demand. We depend on supplies from other state, especially Andhra Pradesh. Everyday there is a demand for 28,000 metric tonnnes of fish in Patna but we produce just 12,000 metric tonnes of fish. We also need of 112 lakh fish seeds but we produce just about 20 lakh.”

He added: “It will take around five years for Bihar to compete with Andhra Pradesh.”

Asked the reason for shortage in supply, Nishad said: “The fisherman of our state still use traditional methods. They are not properly trained. They do not use scientific and technical methods in breeding the fish. This also results in less production. Fishermen in Andhra Pradesh use the latest method in their hatchery, pond and tanks.”

The director, however, claimed that the department has started various programmes, like giving subsidy to fish farmers to augment the production.

“Banks also do not co-operate as they are sceptical about providing financial assistance to fish farming. But now, some banks have started to finance fish farming. We hope to increase the supply gradually,” he said.