MARGAO
Fishing activity, including docking of small fishing boats at Mobor, seemed to have brought small fishing boat owners from Colva, Benaulim and other places and the local residents of Cavelossim face to face.
While the small fishing boat owners on Tuesday lodged their protest over the closure of the way to the mini-dock with rubble stones, Cavelossim Sarpanch Denis Dias told The Goan that the panchayat has received a signed petition from local residents objecting to the activities at the place.
Based on the petition, the Cavelossim Sarpanch pointed out that he will call the small boat owners and the local residents before initiating the process as per the law.
In the meantime, Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, who was approached by the small boat owners, called on Fisheries Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues and later led a delegation of the fishermen to the district Collector to resolve the issue.
Fishermen Pele Fernandes (Benaulim) and Domingo Rodrigues (Colva) informed that the mini-dock at Mobor, where they have been docking their small vessels for over two decades, was blocked by unknown persons by dumping truck load of rubble stones.
Domingo pointed out that the small fishing vessel owners from the coastal belt had been using the place for docking as well as to load and unload their fish nets and supply ration for over two decades now. “Since we have small fishing boats, we used to dock our vessels at Mobor instead of using the Cutbona fishing jetty on the other side of the river,” he said, adding that the authorities should clear the blockade and allow them to use the area.
MLA Churchill Alemao pointed out that since Fisheries Minister Filipe Neri spoke to the Collector, a meeting of the two parties will be called by the authorities to discuss the issue. “The small boat owners say they have been using the place for docking and other activities for over two decades. While blocking the way is not correct, let the authorities look into the legalities of the issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cavelossim Sarpanch Denis told The Goan that the panchayat has received a petition signed by 80 persons, objecting to the fishing activities at the place.
“Last year, the panchayat had told the boat owners to stop the activity during the pandemic. We had also received complaints that the labourers were defecating in the open,” he said, adding that the place is not a notified mini-dock for fishing activities.
“I will place the petition from the locals before the panchayat meeting before setting the process in motion. The parties will be called for discussion on the issue,” the Sarpanch added.
