Lian Yak Fish Merchant (picture above), at Senoko Fishery Port
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The Journey to Senoko Fishery Port
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On 18 May 2018, 1am, we went to Senoko Fishery Port near Sembawang for our shoot.
The slippery floor, sight and smell of various fresh seafood welcomed us as we stepped in the heartland wet market.
Mr Goh Liang Soon (above), owner of Lian Yak Fish Merchant
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As we ventured deeper into Senoko Fishery Port, we met Mr. Goh Liang Soon, the owner of Lian Yak Fish Merchant.
He is one of the oldest fish merchant in Senoko Fishery Port who has been in this business for more than 50 years.
He shared about the differences in his sales between the time when he was working at Punggol Fishery Port
and his current workplace at Senoko Fishery Port.
Thereafter, we were introduced to Mr. Goh's son, Davidson Goh. We gained a different perspective on the work of a younger fish merchant. He shared with us about how he developed his interest in this business through growing up in these wet market environments and helping his father alongside this business.
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After gaining some insights of the perspectives of both young and old fish merchants, we continued to explore further into the port. We managed to strike conversations with some of the fishmongers and they shared that the best time to be there would be approximately 1am. Seafood is sold at a much cheaper price as compared to other wet markets as it is sold in bulk. Some of the merchants shared that a minimum purchase of 2 kg is required.
In The Lens Of A Young Merchant
Mr Davidson Goh (above), son of Mr. Goh Liang Soon
Mr. Davidson Goh loves his job as a fish merchant. He has been in this business for more than 20 years and desires to continue his family's business.
Lian Yak Fish Merchant specialise in selling varieties of seafood that are mainly caught from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Singapore local trawlers do supply some of the fishes here as well.
When asked about any struggles that he had faced in this line of business, he shared that the number of fishmongers has dropped significantly. These fish mongers who owned stalls at wet markets are the usual patrons whom purchases seafood from them. He also mentioned that bigger crowds are usually seen during the weekends.
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Mr Goh expresses his concerns that there are fewer local trawlers now as compared to the past. There used to be more than 100 local trawlers but through out the years it has diminished to only 5. It may be a growing concern for them in the near future as this has been the only source for their family business.
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"Having to adapt to a different lifestyle and adjusting the body clock was a struggle", he mentioned. But nonetheless, this is a job he holds on dearly.
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Center of Senoko Fishery Port (above)
Our Takeaways
Waking up in the wee hours of the morning has become a norm to fishmongers at the port.
Some has worked for more than 50 years and others are still new to this business. Dressed in their comfortable anti-slip footwear, they pass through the puddles of water on the floor with their trolleys and baskets, competing for the freshest seafood available at their usual fish merchants. Containers and baskets of freshly caught seafood are delivered in a hurry to the various merchants from the trawlers.
The hustle and bustle can not only be seen in the fast movements of trolleys but even in the shouts heard across the port. Negotiating for better prices are always mutual amongst the merchants and fishmongers as they are usual patrons in Senoko Fishery Port. However, it could be frustrating at times. The fresh supplies of seafood are bought in bulks and sold to different markets across Singapore and suppliers for eateries.
Their determination and eagerness to drive all the way to Senoko Fishery Port for the freshest supplies deserve our utmost respect for these fishmongers and fish merchants.
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