The sale of rotten fishes has become the order of the day at markets in Douala and this has resulted in heated exchanges between buyers and sellers.
"You sold rotten fish to me, yet you yelled at me for complaining. All these observers are my witnesses, you will have problems by next week," fumed a buyer who was told that "the goods purchased was not refundable. Also, I do not catch fish, I only sell fish," replied the merchant.
These scenarios have become common in the markets of Douala as reported by La Nouvelle Expression.
Owners of fish shops are pointing an accusing finger at the fishermen. They are been accused of using chemicals for fishing, which affects the quality of the fish, making it difficult to preserve.
Traders also hold the Ministry of Fisheries responsible, "which is responsible for conducting unannounced site visits and monitor what is being sold. But this is not often the case which is no fault of our sellers."
"In principle, there should be a regular decent field and sanctions. Instead, we are dealing with corrupt officials who are bribed with fat envelopes collected from large companies and suppliers of poor fishing that dump their chemicals into the sea," sources informed.
According to the union, when you eat fresh fish containing this substance, you are in danger. And it is also the cause of the decline in the amount of fishes in the waters.