Gizo fishermen braces for low income as Covid-19 reaches West

IN light of the proposed three days market days at the Gizo main market in Western Province, many fishermen are likely to be affected with a drop in income.

A Gizo customer checking the fresh fish with a discount price

As of this week, the Gizo main market will open only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

For many fishermen the daily income earned from their daily sales supports their families.

But this is going to change when this new regulation announced by the Western Provincial Executive kicks in this week.

Speaking to Solomon Star Gizo over the weekend, Johnny Ben, Fishermen from Paelonge in West Gizo said that the three days of closure by the main market will surely affected most of the fishermen in Gizo and the nearby islands.

Johnny Ben, a fishermen from Paelonge, West Gizo displaying his last catch before the market closes down at 6pm

He said in a day some of them filled up three to four eskies of buma and other varieties of reef fish.

And if they managed to sell them during a single day, they can earn up to $2000 to $4000 a day.

With Covid-19 now reaching the Western Province, market vendors are now taking precautions with the wearing of face masks.

However, given the changes in the market opening days it means, their income will be affected.

“This is a sad news for us because our income will drop,” he said.

Over the weekend many customers have stocked up fish and vegetables to keep for their daily consumption.

-By ULUTAH GINA

Journalist

Solomon Star Gizo