Freshwater fish sales drop 30pc following bacterial outbreak

Wallis Wang and Henry Siu

Fish stall operators said they have experienced a 30 percent drop in freshwater fish sales following the outbreak of Invasive Group B Streptococcus in the city, although they believe the impact will be temporary.

This decline came after the SAR recorded 70 infections of the bacteria, with three individuals suffering from underlying illnesses having passed away, the Centre for Health Protection said on Friday.

Doctors have also cautioned Hongkongers not to touch live freshwater fish with bare hands.

A fish stall owner, Tang, at Tai Yuen Market in Tai Po, said he has noticed a 30 percent drop in his business due to the bacteria outbreak. He said he has reduced his stock but believes the decline is temporary and that people will return to consuming freshwater fish soon.

Tang also said health authorities have visited the wet market, reminding vendors to wear gloves when handling the fish.

He also said he would remind customers to avoid eating undercooked freshwater fish.

Another fish stall operator at Shek Wu Hui Market in Sheung Shui said fewer customers have been coming to buy freshwater fish lately, although she noted slightly improved sales during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Agriculture and Fisheries sector lawmaker Steven Ho Chun-yin said he expects public confidence in freshwater fish to return within one or two months.

Ho said the fishery industry is crucial in Hong Kong, and most fish ponds participate in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's accredited fish farm scheme, which ensures that no fish are sold if Group B Streptococcus is detected in samples from the ponds.

He said consumers can purchase locally farmed fish, which are fresher due to shorter transport times.

"It's not that mainland fish are of low quality," he said. "But the long transport distance brings uncertainty, as the water used during transit may not come from fish ponds."

Although Group B Streptococcus exists only among freshwater fish, the sales of seafood have also been affected due to public concern about the infection, said Lee Choi-wah, chairman of the Hong Kong Chamber of Seafood Merchants.

But chairman of the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management Yeung Wai-sing said many restaurants in Hong Kong sell seafood but not freshwater fish, so the outbreak did not significantly impact the catering sector.