Fish shortage hits several eateries

THE scarcity of fish in local waters has severely hampered seasonal Lenten sales at several major eateries. When Newsday checked with Royal Castle and KFC yesterday, we were told that fish specials, including fish sandwiches and fish combo meals, were all finished, with no one knowing when supplies would come in. Kurtis Rudd, marketing manager of Prestige Holdings — the local KFC franchise holder — said the company would hold emergency meetings with their fish suppliers today to discuss contingency plans.

“The fish shortage has come at a very bad time and not only for KFC, but for other major food outlets,” Rudd said. He said KFC had embarked on a major aggressive advertising campaign to maximise sales for the short Lenten Season when fish is the protein source of choice for many. Even with the expected rush for fish for Lent, Rudd expressed surprise at the level of consumption. “The number of fish we had projected to last two weeks, was finished in five days,” Rudd stated.

He explained that the scarcity of KFC’s main fish — the flying fish — caused by the absence of migrating schools of flying fish in Tobago waters, forced them to source salmon from suppliers in Suriname and Guyana. “But even these suppliers say they are not getting good catches.” Rudd said if and when fish was sourced, the prices advertised would have to be changed. “We were taking a hit (in profits) by keeping our prices at pre-Lenten levels. But if and when we get a supply of fish, the prices may have to be changed to keep up with the current cost of fish on the local market,” Rudd said. The price of King fish and Carite in the market was going as high as $25 and $30 per pound.

There are 47 KFC outlets in the country. Asked about KFC outlets in the other Caribbean islands, Rudd said he was not sure if they were also experiencing a scarcity of fish. “I know in Jamaica, for example, they are experimenting with a local fish breed,” Rudd said. He added that the prospect of importing fish from other KFC outlets in the various islands was not feasible. “When one considers the shipping costs and the time factor— by the time the fish arrives the Lenten Season would be long finished.” Efforts to reach management officials at Royal Castle and Church’s Chicken yesterday, proved futile. However, cashiers at Royal Castle in Port-of-Spain confirmed there were no fish items available.