Fishing is one of the major traditional businesses of Goans for centuries and may be due to that Fish-Curry-Rice is the prominent cuisine of Goa. Although lately the things have been commercialized and various malpractices were taken place due to which the local traditional fishermen have decided to quit their occupation. What are these malpractices and who is doing it? To know more please read the complete article here.
[su_expand more_text=”READ MORE” less_text=” ” height=”0″ hide_less=”yes” link_style=”button” link_align=”center”] Goan fisherman plays an important role in getting fish for Goans. They were always seen opposing for the “unnatural” way of fishing and now to protest against the failure of the State government to take action against the “unnatural” way of fishing they have decided to give up their fishing occupation. This is actually a serious matter as Goan fishermen are into this traditional business from generations now. For some of them, this is the only source of income. This is what fishermen will be doing on Wednesday to protest against the failure on the part of the government. Read here how fishermen have decided to protest.
On Wednesday around hundreds of traditional fishermen from Goa have decided to give up their fishing occupation by surrendering their boats, fishing nets and other fishing machinery and equipment before the Fisheries Dept in Panjim and other offices in south Goa. The “unnatural” way of fishing, includes using LED lights, China engine trawlers, and bull trawling.
This was decided at a joint meeting called by Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) on Monday. A large number of traditional fishermen from North and South Goa at Cansaulim attended this meeting. As said by GRE president Angelo Rodrigues, the members of all 13 traditional fishermen associations have decided to give up their traditional fishing occupation on Wednesday because the State government was irresponsive towards their genuine demands.
He said, “The fishing industry in Goa is one of the few industries that are totally Goan-oriented, but the same is on the brink of disaster due to the unnatural fishing techniques used by some rich trawler owners from Goa. There is already less catch for the canoe owners and ramponkars at sea, and despite our repeated requests, the State Fisheries Department, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado as well as Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar gave only assurances but failed to come out with a concrete decision and ban the use of LED lights and other unnatural ways of fishing, leaving the traditional people of Goa, who are engaged in fishing activities for generations, to automatically go out of business.”
He further stated, “As there has been no response from the government, we have decided to give up our business by surrendering our canoes/boats and other machinery before the Fisheries Department, and our family members will sit in the department office until our demands are met.”
GRE joint general secy Olencio Simoes said, “The Fisheries Dept possibly has some vested interest, and therefore, they don’t want to act against LED lights and other unnatural fishing methods used by trawlers owners from Goa. Our interest is to protect the fish and fish-eaters. If such unnatural fishing is not banned, then fish-eaters will get fish at higher rates. I appeal to all traditional fishermen to come out in large numbers to Panjim on Wednesday.” and support out protest, which will stop only after our demands are met.”
Source: Heraldo
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