The smiles have returned for local fishermen, who ply their trade selling their marine produce at the Savalalo fish market, and are experiencing a cash bonanza thanks to the relaxing of Sunday market hours.

The decision by the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) Government to relax the state of emergency (S.O.E.) orders, including Sunday market trading hours, are working wonders for the local fish sellers.

A fish business owner, Asovalu Poalaga of Moamoa, said she started selling fish caught by one boat in 2011 and Sunday market sales have always been a windfall for all fish sellers.

She said the decision by the new Government to reopen markets on Sunday morning was a masterstroke.

“I am very thankful that we allow selling our fish on Sunday again so that we can get enough money to run our business and support our family,” said Mrs Poalaga in an interview with the Samoa Observer. 

“Sunday sales is the only profit for us because the money that we get inside the week is working money to prepare a boat to go out fishing, pay our employees, and do our church and family obligations. 

“But for the Sunday sales, that’s when we earn some profit to put in the bank for savings.”

According to Mrs Poalaga, prior to the reopening of the Sunday morning markets, they always had to go to the bank to get funding for their weekly operations.

But all that has changed in the last two weeks with the business making windfall revenue during the Sunday morning market.

“But the two weeks since we sell again on Sunday morning, we have money to prepare the boat and money to deposit in our savings.

“I have four boats, twelve employees and on Sunday, only two boys who work for the early hours to help with the market sales. 

“Before the lockdown I normally get $3000 plus because I have lots of fish to sell but after the two Sundays, I received more than that and I am very happy and thankful with the decision of the new Government.

“We are very blessed with the return of Sunday sales to help our business earn profit and support our families as well.”

This newspaper also spoke to two other fish sellers, who’ve made it their main form of employment over the last decade, who expressed the same sentiment.

Maratha Fetuao of Vailoa and Rina Aumau of Leone said that on the first Sunday of the S.O.E. changes the supply was short and wasn’t enough to meet the demand.
That was mainly due to it being the Father’s Day long weekend and the demand for fish continued to increase.

They also said that there is no other day they now look forward to other than Sunday morning because that’s when they reap their rewards.