After near mishap, Cutbona fishermen call for training wall and not schemes

Fisherman Pele Fernandes being felicitated by Velim MLA Cruz Silva in the presence of Fisheries Director Dr Shamila Monteiro, Velim Sarpanch Veena Cardozo, Savio D’Silva, Antush Fernandes, Anthony D’Silva and others at the Cutbona fishing jetty.

MARGAO
Fishermen and boat owners operating from the Cutbona fishing jetty sent an SOS to the government on Friday: While the Prime Minister’s scheme aims to boost fishing activities, what they truly need is the construction of a training wall at the mouth of the River Sal. This crucial infrastructure would help eliminate the hazardous navigational conditions that currently prevent them from safely venturing into the sea and returning to the jetty after fishing trips.

The issue of the long-pending training wall came to the forefront at the jetty on Friday following the dramatic rescue of 27 fishermen after their vessel ran aground and broke apart last week.

Fisheries Director Dr Shamila Monteiro visited the Cutbona fishing jetty to felicitate fisherman Pele Fernandes for his commendable efforts in rescuing the 27 fishermen at Betul on Sunday. During her visit, she assured boat owners that the training wall would become a reality—but only after the required Environmental Clearance (EC) is obtained and other codal formalities are completed.

However, boat owners and local Velim MLA Cruz Silva remain unconvinced by the Fisheries Director’s assurances. They expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and progress on the proposed retaining wall project, which has been stalled for over five years.

In fact, MLA Cruz Silva led the demand for a comprehensive status report on the training wall, calling on the government to lift what he described as a “veil of secrecy” surrounding the project and to finally act in the interest of the fishing community that continues to face perilous conditions at sea.

“For decades now, fishermen and boat owners operating from the Cutbona fishing jetty have been demanding construction of a training wall at the River Sal mouth. Since my election in 2022, I have been raising the issue in the Goa Legislative Assembly and outside without fail. In the last monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly, I had asked for a status on the Environment Clearance (EC), but in vain,” he said.

Cruz added: “We should know whether the EC has been obtained by the Fisheries Department or not and if not, what is the status of the EC. In the past, we had a meeting with the Fisheries Minister and the Chennai-based consultant who was requested to obtain the EC. But, it’s now two years and I wonder whether the consultant is still holed up abroad and returned to India.”

Demanding to know whether the government has appointed the consultant to prepare the EC, the Velim MLA insisted on a clarification so that he and the stakeholders also do the follow up with the consultant.

“The NGT had given the go-ahead to the training wall project subject to EC obtained by the Fisheries Department. But, it’s now over three years since the NGT had given the green signal, but the EC is still not forthcoming,” he said, while demanding that the government give a clear status on the EC.

Chairman of the Cutbona Fisheries Society Savio D’Silva echoed similar sentiments. He wondered why the training wall project has not seen the light of the day when the fishermen have been demanding the project for the last four decades. “Fisheries officials highlight the PM’s scheme for fishermen. But, here we are looking forward for a smooth navigation channel at the River Sal mouth. Our vessels are getting damaged and we cannot even return to the jetty with the fish catch,” Savio added.

Social activist Anthony D’Silva shared concern of the fishing community as he demanded the status report on the EC, slamming the government feedback system.

Transponders for fishing vessels, canoes

Fisheries Director Dr Shamila Monteiro on Friday urged boat owners to install transponders onboard the fishing vessels provided free of cost by the government.

She further said the free transponders’ scheme has now been extended to the country-made canoes in the interest of their safety and security.

Saying the government at the Centre and in Goa are concerned about the safety and welfare of the fishermen, Monteiro urged the boat owners to install the transponders for their safety in times of emergencies. “The transponders will help convey distress message to the authorities in times of emergencies. If the transponders are kept on, immediate help can come to the distressed fishermen,” she said, adding that the free transponder scheme is now extended to the small fishing canoes as well.