Palm impression technique: a simple tool to popularize good hygiene and sanitation practices among fish handlers

Abstract

In order to ensure the safety of the fish consumer, it is utmost importance to popularize good sanitation and hygiene practices among fish handlers, viz., crew of the mechanized trawlers, traditional boat operators, loading and unloading workers at the fishing harbour and fish vendors. Since most of the fish handlers are educationally backward, the conventional bacteriological techniques to demonstrate bacterial load are beyond their level of comprehension. A simple, participatory technique, the Palm Impression Technique (PIT), was found to be an effective tool for popularizing good hygiene and sanitation practices, among these fish handlers. PIT was demonstrated on fishing boat and fish handlers. PIT is recommended for use in extension programmes for on-site demonstrations in fish markets, landing centres, fishing vessels, fishing villages, peeling sheds and processing plants.