Marketing system, quality and safety characteristics of mackerel (Rastrelliger sp.) at the domestic market in Jakarta, Indonesia

Fish is a highly perishable food, which needs proper maintenance during distribution and marketing, to provide a good quality product to consumers. This study aims to identify the distribution chains of fresh fish and the socio-economic characteristics of participants, namely fishermen and retailers, and also to analyze the quality and safety of mackerel throughout the domestic distribution process. The study was conducted at the domestic fish market in Jakarta, Indonesia. The intermediaries involved in distribution and marketing, play an important role in fish product delivery to customers. The distribution chain data were collected from retailers through a survey using a questionnaire combined with an interview. Quality characteristics of fish were determined by taking the same type of samples from 56 locations, including fish landing, auction, wholesales, supermarkets and traditional markets. Based on market participants, the distribution chain consisted of fishermen, traders, collectors, wholesalers, and retailers/supermarkets. The results indicated that majority of the market participants were males at the productive age and fish capture, marketing and distribution was their main job, with a low level of education. Based on the total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) content, all the fish transported from the landing location to the supermarket complied with the quality standard, while in the traditional trading site 22.09% exceeded the maximum limit. In terms of food safety characteristics, mackerels were contaminated with pathogenic Escherichia coli from fish auction and the contamination level increased during distribution. The presence of these bacteria was mainly due to poor hygiene practices during handling.