Instead of sleeping, we decided to visit Jurong Fishery Port (JFP).
It was a bewildering experience for kids (and adults too) to see fishmongers scale fish, lugging giant baskets around and a small mountain of prawns. No, we are not buying any seafood tonight.
From the first whiff of fish, we know this JFP experience will be something which a classroom cannot deliver. The smell, the wide variety of catch which are hauled from the trawlers and the busy folks working during sleeping hours! We got Winston (BlogFather) and Edmund (EdUnloaded) to join us on our inaugural “fishing” trip 🙂
你要买魚吗? (Do you want to buy fish?) Fish, Crabs, Prawns and Squids.
Pomfret (we like pan friend black), stingrays, sharks and even barracuda. I ran out of vocabulary to describe all the sea creatures.
Not only did we have to get used to the lingering fishy smell in the atmosphere, we have to tell kids to avoid kicking the puddles of water!
The bloody scenes might be uncomfortable for some. Fishmongers gutting and scaling the fish, chopping the fins and heads.
Throughout the night, forklifts work non-stop to unload more crates from the trawlers. Boots and ice are everywhere.
Measuring scale, and the fishes are darn heavy! Some are longer than the kids!
At Jurong Fishery port, each “lot” would have a trader where fish bidding will be conducted.
Surprisingly, a lot of Indian foreign workers (from nearby dormitories) were also shopping for their seafood.
Some say market is fishy because fish are fresh. Well, I am not sure how much fresher can the fish gets 🙂
You should climb up the second floor gangway to grab a better view of the activities below.
Video (Link): So many actions everywhere!
Everything is laid on the floor. Some are labeled with price tags.
Seeing so much seafood on the floor, it hits me that we are consuming (killing) a lot of fishes.
Reminded the kids not to waste their food.
The activities will ramp up from 0130 to 0400, but it might not be advisable for kids to stand in the way of busy hawkers. We left around 0130. In a few hours, the seafood will arrive at your neighbourhood wet markets.
Not sure about the kids, but it was an enriching experience for myself. How many of us still scale and gut our own fish? We could see how Singapore imports her seafood, learn about fish bidding and distribution. Would have love to take a photo of the trawlers, but the jetty area is fenced up.
We have a few tips for you to enjoy your JFP trip :
– Bring NRIC and school pass, just in case we need to change pass.
– Jurong Fishery Port is free entry.
– No1 rule – do not block the workers! The passageway can be narrow and kids are often distracted by the seafood around them
– It will be wet, puddles will stink. Some puddles will reach your ankle. Suggest to wear covered shoe (boots better). Bring extra footwear to change before stepping into car. (our shoes took 3 days to get rid of the fishy smell)
– Kids will be rare around Jurong Fishery Port, everyone will be looking at you(like tourists haha)
– You can buy the seafood, but Fishmongers might not entertain unless you buy half a dozen :p
Jurong Fishery Port is located at Fishery Port Road, po619742 (Closed on Monday). GPS (1.309301, 103.723287)
Website – http://www.ava.gov.sg/explore-by-sections/fisheries/fishery-ports/fishery-port-services
Best time to visit – Adults should target between 2 to 4am, and kids perhaps between 1230 to 0130. It might be congested and the baskets/trolleys might accidentally bump into the kids. The other fishery port in Singapore is at Senoko Fishery Port.
More fishes have been uploaded into our Fanpage album.
It definitely is enriching, Maybe can combine a few families and buy that dozen. Haha I have always thought about going one but never surfaced. If you do decide to check out the Senoko, let me know!
Heard Senoko is smaller scale, try to keep group small too.
In case we block the workers’ path.
Buying is ok, but diy scaling and gutting might not be straightforwrd 🙂
Next time jio me too, can?? hahaha… looks really educational and reminds me of Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. I’d love to bring Lil Pumpkin there too.
Ai Sakura recently posted…Singapore National Day 2015 | National Day Parade! #NDP2015
Different standard from Tsukiji hee hee.
No huge Tuna, nor cook on the spot sashimi seafood cuisines 🙂
But we were still impressed 🙂
I’m so glad we went too, one thing off our Singapore’s bucket list! It really was a good experience and amazingly without fishy smell! 🙂
Jiahui recently posted…Homemade Kaya – All in 15 minutes!
?? Jiahui, our shoes stenched for 3 days haha! How did you manage to avoid the “ponds”.
But I agree this is one visit which is both Fun and Educational for kids.
Aiya.. we missed the fun.. Hopefully next time we can hop by the fishery port again
Phoebe recently posted…Discover Singapore Stories @ Gardens by the Bay
Yes Phoebe, you must go again, and let kids identify their favourite seafood !
Ah… Everyone’s favourite hangout during Chinese New Year. This would be a useful guide for first-timers! And that last photo of your son? He looks just like you!!
Bumble Bee Mum recently posted…{Family Fun Friday #6} NOM Bistro & Bakery Cafe (No Other Meaning) @ Macpherson CC
A good learning trip for both kids and adults, the sight, smell, atmosphere.
Overwhelming senses, to see so many folks at work during unearthly hours.
To think I have been to a fishery in Japan, but not the one in Singapore. Great place for my children, but it’s too late for me too!
Sarah Tan | Elgarmummy.com recently posted…How To Be A Kor Kor Garisms
Too late for me too haha! Go earlier and leave by 0100, 0130.
It is a good edutainment session for both kids and adults.
Hello, is it safe for just ladies to go shop?? Are the prices a “saving”?
hi CC,
safe for ladies to walk around, free from harassment. Do look out for the trolleys along narrow walkway.
Price wise, unless you buy in bulk, otherwise hawkers will not entertain bargaining.
Folks go there more for the freshness and first-pick.
Would recommend you to pop by for a view and decide whether it is worthwhile to buy later.
cheers,
andy
Used to follow my parents to JFP when I was small. They brought me and siblings for the experience too. But i haven’t brought my own. Maybe i should plan a trip cos my boy was very keen and enthusiastic when i brought himtm to Chinatown Complex Market.
So sad to see so many sharks and rays being caught for food too 🙁 When will the killing stop??!
Yes Shirley, I am a bit unnerved by the amount of killing too.
A good opportunity to teach the kids not to waste food, and conservation.
So interesting! I have been to fish markets at Sydney and Tokyo, but haven’t been to the one in Singapore! Thanks for sharing!
Waiwai recently posted…Teaching Children High Frequency and Sight Words Playfully
Precisely Wai Wai. A lot of people does not even know our “Fishery ports” are opened to public 🙂
Wow! This is so fun and interesting! It never occurred to me to go on an outing there… must have been quite a eye opener for the kids! I am quite sure my 6yo will enjoy a trip there! Must find an opportunity to go take a look.. have never been to it myself!
Thanks for the tips about the smelly shoes! haha!
Cheers
Audrey
Hope you have fun shopping, seeing and smelling at JFP. Bewildering amount of sea creatures on display.
Hi! Thank you for your post. Did you see any live lobsters, prawns, shrimps or mussels at the market? Thank you!
Thanks,
Ka Yi
Hi Ka Yi,
depends on season too. Some of the catch are hidden in boxes, no fish tanks at this market.