How Can mFisheries Help?
Scenario 1
Every ‘Trinbagonian’ is familiar with Richard’s Bake and Shark, which has been in existence over 25 years, and is presently managed by Richard’s son Gary Ferguson.
Andrew Zimmern, host of Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” called Richard’s Bake and Shark one of his “all time, top ten favourite foods ever!”, and said it is “the best fish sandwich I have ever eaten”.
What a lot of Trinidadians may not know is that Richard’s shark is purchased from Trinidad Sea-Foods Limited, a local company which imports shark.
Trinidad Sea Foods is a large scale fish supplier that encourages sustainability. Since shark is heavily over fished in the country, Trinidad Sea Foods purchase shark internationally. They purchase sea-food from local and international long liners but do not support trawlers because of their marine and environmental concerns. Trinidad Sea Foods does not purchase fish from small scale vendors because, like many fish suppliers and processors, they are concerned with the quality of the fish.
Scenario 2
Many fisher-folk experience wastage of fish for several reasons.
During initial stages of mFisheries research, we discovered that there are many instances where “unpopular” fish is wasted. Referring to a specific case, over 100lbs of ‘bonito’ was wasted because ‘red fish’, a more popular fish preferred by consumers was caught. As a result of lack of storage and demand, the bonito was discarded.
Scenario 3
Many persons in Trinidad and Tobago go to great lengths to get good quality and reasonably priced fish.
During initial stages of mFisheries research, we met Hermina. Hermina and her sister visit Erin Farms weekly, to purchase meat for their small business. At these weekly trips, they also visit the Erin fish depot to purchase fish. Aside from these visits, Hermina sometimes goes to the Moruga fish depot to purchase fish, since there is an abundant supply of fish in Morouga.