ADILABAD: The Government order relating to curbing of culture or trade in catfish (Clarius Gariepinus or African catfish or Exotic magur) lacks the needed `barbels', thereby rendering it ineffective.

Adilabad being one of the major transit gateways to Maharashtra and other States up country, the need for stringency in the law concerned is felt more here.

"At regular intervals we `land' illegal north-bound consignments of the necrophagus catfish. However, in the absence of any clear penal provisions, the smugglers go scot-free and the trade goes on," a police officer voiced concern.

A case in point being the 180 kg of the poisonous catfish caught by Adilabad police in October. The two accused who were selling the banned African catfish in the local fish market were booked for cheating and under penal provisions for selling noxious substances.

"The case made out under these provisions is no better than the cases booked for selling gutka," pointed out One Town Sub Inspector of Police L. Jeevan Reddy.

The State Government through its order number 54 of October 4, banned the African catfish because this carnivore pollutes the water and eats away the indegenous variety of fish in the tank in which it is bred.

"Though the fish causes a health hazard to the consumer, it is very popular in fish eating States like West Bengal because of its better taste and cheaper rate. A kg of catfish would cost not more than Rs. 40 whereas the other varieties cost over Rs. 70 a kg," a fisheries official said

"The GO should be made into an Act to serve as a deterrent," suggested Mr. Jeevan Reddy.

The trade is catfish is carried on from fish culture centres in coastal Andhra. Lorry loads of the catfish regularly pass through Adilabad on the N.H. 7. The inter State border can be a perfect place for `angling' for these consignments.

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