MARGAO
Even as the Fisheries department is bracing up to float a tender to shortlist private players to set up a state-of-the-art “Shrimp and Fin Fish Hatchery” project at Benaulim, traditional fishermen from Benaulim on Saturday took the first step in laying their claim over the sprawling sea-facing land hosting the defunct Benaulim prawn hatchery.
That the hatchery land in question has been found ideal by the government agencies to park traditional canoes behind a sand dune inside the government-acquired land, in times of cyclones, has only given a boost to the demand to allot a portion of the hatchery land for the traditional fishermen for their fishing activities.
In early August 2020, the Directorate of Fisheries floated an Expression of Interest to set up a state-of-the-art Shrimp and Fin Fish Hatchery on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model by redeveloping the existing hatchery spread over 10 acres at Benaulim. A couple of interested bidders from outside the State had submitted their bids and proposals, but tendering of the project was kept on hold after the local fishermen saw red in the government’s proposal, terming it as an attempt to sell the government land to private players under the guise of redeveloping the land under PPP model.
As the traditional fishermen in the presence of Deputy Collector Jyoti Kumari, IAS, Fire officer Gill D’Souza and officials of the Fisheries department and revenue officials pulled a canoe from the shore to the hatchery and parked the vessel behind a natural sand dune as part of a cyclone evacuation drill, the fishermen have upped the ante that the government earmark land admeasuring 5,000 square metres for their activities.
Traditional fisherman Pele Fernandes made a fervent plea to Deputy Collector Jyoti Kumari to provide a dedicated space inside the hatchery to park their fishing boats during the monsoons and for activities such as fish drying and storage of nets.
“The traditional fishermen have no land of their own on the beach. We had asked 5,000 square metres of land inside the 10-hectare hatcher to dry fish, store nets and boats and set up an ice plant, where we can sell fish”, he said.
Pele added: “There are altogether 96 fishing canoes operating in Benaulim, besides 13 rampons (traditional fishing gear). We have no place for these canoes and fishing nets during the monsoons. We also want an ice plant and space to sell fish at the hatchery complex which is just facing the shore”.
President of Ramponkarancho Ekvott Seby Fernandes echoed similar sentiments.
“The hatchery land is ideal for parking of the fishing vessels during monsoons since it plays host to a sand dune inside the property. Besides, fishermen can use the space for fish drying. Since the Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas is with us, the fishermen now look forward to meeting our requirements”, Seby added.
Newly-elected Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas had taken up cudgels for the traditional fishermen in 2020 when he was just preparing the ground to contest the 2022 Assembly polls. And, he was categorical in saying the traditional fishermen from Benaulim should get right over the hatchery land to pursue their activities.
“I am solidly behind the traditional fishermen. When the Fisheries Director had invited Expression of Interest (EOI) in 2020 to redevelop the hatchery under the PPP model, we had put up a claim for land for the traditional fishermen for their requirements, including parking of vessels during monsoons and in times of cyclones, fish drying and other activities. We stand by what was proposed to the fisheries department in 2020”, he asserted.
