Warhorse Soldiers Visit Fish Market, Assess Construction Progress

By Staff Sgt. Rodney Foliente

2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. PAO

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq - Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, visited the Abu al-Khasib District market to assess the progress of the new fish market building and speak with local vendors.

The project, which includes three other fish markets throughout the city, was initiated by and coordinated with the Basra government.

"With the new Abu al-Khasib fish market, they will have a more sanitary and cleaner environment to store and sell their fish," said Staff Sgt. Hugo Rivera, civil liaison team noncommissioned officer with the 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Staff Sgt. Hugo Rivera, civil liaison team NCO, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., walks along the construction site of the new Abu al-Khasib District fish market as vendors watch. The new building is slated to be completed in September. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rodney Foliente)

During the visit, vendors had piles of fish sitting in less than an inch of warm water, with a motley collection of sun tarps overhead to block out some of the heat, which was greater than 130 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep the fish looking better and discourage flies, the vendors scooped up water with their hands and splashed it over the fish. Consequently, sales appeared to dwindle drastically as the fish continued to sit in the constant heat.

The new building, which is slated to be completed in September, will have 26 stalls with running water, electricity, ceiling fans and air conditioning, as well as storage and display areas which can be filled with ice to keep the product fresh, continued Rivera, who comes from Oxnard, Calif.

A fish vendor splashes water onto a pile of fish at the Abu al-Khasib District fish market. A simple sun shade tarp and shallow warm water are all that many vendors commonly use to attempt to keep the fish looking fresher and combat the heat, which - with the heat index - was greater than 130 degrees Fahrenheit that day. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rodney Foliente)

"With the new building completed, they can show (customers) fish which will be clean and sanitary and frozen," said Rivera. "They are happy that the fish will be fresher, they will have electricity and that the building will be done (soon)."

"The new fish market will help us because there will be better conditions for us to sell our fish," said Kalaf, a fish vendor, through an interpreter. He said that he is eager for its completion, because the new conditions will allow the fish to stay fresher longer and appear more appealing to customers, resulting in greater sales.

A line of fish vendors display their fish at the Abu al-Khasib District fish market. A motley collection of sun shades and shallow warm water are all that many vendors commonly use to attempt to keep the fish fresh and combat the heat, which - with the heat index - was greater than 130 degrees Fahrenheit that day. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rodney Foliente)

The fish market is one of three that are currently being built in Basra, with an additional fish market recently completed in the al-Querna District. Approximately one million dollars have been spent or allocated for the fish market projects throughout the city. By using local contractors and laborers, most of that money also helps stimulate the local economy. Rivera added that the workers have expressed pride in doing their part in improving their city.

"The al-Querna fish market had the same conditions as the Abu al-Khasib fish market before the new one was built. They were selling their fish in unsanitary conditions. Once that fish market was complete, you could see a small boom in their local commerce," said Rivera.

"The fish markets are small projects, but also great projects that will bring more commerce to the districts. It is a small stepping stone but it will make a big difference for the people involved," continued Rivera.

Staff Sgt. Raymond Ramos, civil liaison team leader with 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., speaks with fish vendors during a visit to the Abu al-Khasib District fish market. Ramos comes from Hollister, Calif. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rodney Foliente)

"A project like this shows the people of Basra that the government of Iraq is at the stage where there is a lot of progress," said Rivera. Based on his interaction with various citizens, he said the people seem happy with their government's efforts in improving the quality of life with projects and new constructions.

"They're very proud that their government is taking charge and working for (the people). This is showing the Iraqi people what a democracy looks like," concluded Rivera.