Whales out! GSIDC repaints fish market mural after objections

The mural on the wall of the re-developed wholesale fish market is being re-pained to cap the controversy over the painting of whales and dolphins.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO
Guess why the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) is repainting the mural on the redeveloped Margao wholesale fish market building at Margao.

Well, following strong reservations raised in many quarters over the mural featuring protected fish species such as whales and dolphins, the government has decided to make changes to the mural on the building wall.

A senior GSIDC official informed that the changes are being made to the paintings to put an end to the controversy surrounding the depiction of dolphins and whales on the building. “It was not our intention to paint dolphins and whales as if they were meant for slaughter in the wholesale fish market. But, since the issue of protected fish species has been raised at the SGPDA meetings, it has been decided to paint local varieties of fish species on the building,” the official said.

Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai, who raised objections against the mural depicting killer whales and dolphins at the SGPDA meetings and elsewhere, said he had urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to make changes to the mural. “I had raised the issue because the wholesale fish market should reflect Goemkarponn. Certainly, killer whales and dolphins do not align with Goan fishing traditions. Also, the fishermen depicted in the mural did not represent Goan ethos. The Chief Minister agreed with my suggestion and has brought about the changes,” he said.

The Fatorda MLA, however, pointed out that a lot needs to be done at the wholesale fish market before it is commissioned. “The government should put in place a mechanism for the upkeep and maintenance of the toilets and other amenities. Also, the SGPDA should take steps to ensure that fish traders and traditional fishermen are given separate blocks in the wholesale fish market,” Sardesai added.