December 2, 2019 – Hippos, a concessionaire of the Split green market and fish market, have banned sellers in the outside part of the Split fish market.
Slobodna Dalmacija reports that from today, fish and seafood will no longer be sold in the outdoor area of the Split fish market, based on the decision by the State Inspectorate and the Veterinary Inspectorate.
The decision to close the outside area was made following the law that prohibits the sale of fish outdoors, i.e., permits the sale of fish only indoors.
Since the exterior of the fish market has only a prefabricated roof, this space is not legally adapted for the sale of fish. However, despite this fact, it should be noted that all fish sellers will get their place in the enclosed part of the fish market.
Thus, until further notice, the smell of fish will no longer permeate through Marmontova and the surrounding alleyways, and the famous street will be quieter without the sweet sounds of bargaining.
“There is room for everyone and no one will be neglected. All those who have been selling fish outside the fish market to date will be housed inside.
They may not have the guaranteed comfort as before, they will have to squeeze a little, but no one will be left without a place to sell.
We, as concessionaires of the Split fish market, will abide by all legal provisions, that is, all legally issued decisions,” promises Tvrtko Karoglan, director of Hippos, the concessionaire of the Split green market and fish market.
However, Karoglan points out that he will not give up on outdoor sales. That is, as the owner of the fish market, and with the City of Split and the competent conservation services, he will try to find a way to meet all legal standards to start selling fish outside again soon.
“The Split fish market is a part of the history of this city, and it will surely be unusual for many Split residents buying fish today,” says Karoglan.
Splitski Dnevnik writes that fishers are dissatisfied with this process and the Fishers’ Guild immediately held a meeting on the topic. The fishers voiced that they are concerned about what will happen to the surplus fish that cannot be sold inside due to the market’s space, adding that it is necessary to review the decision on who can sell their fish at this market.
Fishers also said that there have been talks about renovating this area for several years, and that the funds have been secured from European funds, but nothing has happened.
The Split Fish Market is a stone building built around 1890. It is located on Marmontova, next to the Split spa. On the stone banks inside the fish market and in front of the fish market, fishers offer fresh fish, crustaceans, various types of shellfish, anchovies, sardines, and river fish daily.
For now, watching seagulls steal sardines from Marmontova will be a thing of the past, as is one of Split’s most famous attractions.
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