MARGAO
Anchoring of a boat on the Assolna side of the river Sal near the ferry ramp, has stirred a hornet’s nest with the AVCB Traditional Fishermen Association calling for the immediate removal of the vessel from the river, fearing the boat will damage nets and hamper fishing activities.
The boat owner, Sherwin Martins, however, allayed fears of the fishermen, saying he has no intention to damage the fishing nets or cause any obstruction to the traditional fishing activities in River Sal and that his application for to operate the vessel is pending in the office of Captain of Ports. “I am also a resident of Assolna and what right they have I also have. I have been a seaman for 20 years and I have now decided to have my own venture. I have brought the boat, which has all legal documents from Kerala. I did this small jetty just to undertake timely maintenance of the vessel”, he said.
While the traditional fishermen claimed that the movement of the boat will affect their traditional fishing activity, Sherwin sought to know why only he is being targeted when over 100 boats operate in the river Sal, but no one has raised any objection till date. “It appears this objection for my vessel has come out of jealousy. I have nothing against the fishermen. My activity will not affect anyone”, he said.
The AVCB Traditional Fishermen Association general secretary Elwino D’Silva has dashed off letters to the Village Panchayats of Assolna, Cavelossim, Chinchinim, besides authorities such as the Captain of Ports with a request to demolish the jetty and remove the cruise passenger vessel from the river Sal.
In his letter, Elwino pointed out that the presence of the vessel in the river Sal is creating severe obstructions to the traditional fishermen to carry out fishing in the river at the point in question. “The area in question is a rich marine resource and the only livelihood for the traditional fishermen”, he said.
Elwino has urged the authorities, including the local Panchayat bodies to act fast as there’s a possibility of law and order situation brewing over the issue if it is not addressed immediately.
Fishermen Seby D’Silva, Aurelio and others who spoke to the media feared that the vessel will hamper their fishing activities in the river and called upon the authorities to take the boat out of the river. “We have nothing against the vessel or the owner. We have been opposing water sports in river Sal since it affects our fishing activities, but in vain”, they said.
