Government has closed down a cold store in Mbanga in the Littoral Region as part of measures to cleanse the sector.

Fish consumers in Yaounde are increasingly doubting the quality of the product served them in markets these days. Cold stores have for some time now served customers with not-so-satisfactory sea food which many say just by the eyes, nose and fingers are able to determine the quality. Most of such sea foods are seemingly not fresh, not clear and with bulging eyes as telltale signs of their state.

The scenario is playing down on business with some customers turning their backs on fresh frozen fish. Over FCFA 25,000 was the amount lost by a household in Yaounde for buying a carton of the Carpe fish which turned out to be all rotten. Some buyers in small quantities however have the opportunity to size-up the situation with their eyes, hands and nose to decide whether to purchase or not.

Anastasie Nguegang’s roasted fish business during the past weeks witnessed a decline. The lady explained that she has had difficulty purchasing iced fish of acceptable quality for some time. “Some species like Marquereau which are in high demand are stalling business once we cannot have good quality,” she said. More so, it is difficult to quantify the losses, according to Nguegang likewise Robert Fopossi, a fish vendor in the Mfoundi Market.

Queen Fish Cameroon, second importer of fish, confirms that there is a lot of poor quality fish in the market. Andre Hugo, Director General of Queen Fish Cameroon, however says his company “has not suffered any financial losses due to poor quality fish. Many audits and controls by MINEPIA, ANOR and Ministry of Trade are always done.

Financial losses happen though at supply points, » he noted. Andre Hugo recalled that over 79, 000 cartons of fish of poor quality were seized and destroyed by the Ministry of Trade from an importer after undertaking controls in 2014. The same scenario could occur if what obtains in markets now persists.

Owing to complaints and cognisant of the danger that comes with consuming poor quality fish, the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries has embarked on measures to reprimand dishonest fish dealers.

MINEPIA boss, Dr Taïga on June 30, 2015, signed a release, closing down a fish exploitation institution owned by Congelcam in Mbanga in the Littoral Region. The agency is accused of operating without due authorization and lacks a certificate of conformity. The existence of poor quality fish in markets is partly blamed on the poor handling of the sea products.

However, information from the country’s leading importer, Congelcam through the Ministry of Trade, talk of a rather serene business atmosphere with nothing to worry about. Fish is available and cases of quality might stem from customers with a feeble mastery of the fish chain, sources at Trade Ministry note.