CANACONA
The main fish market at Chaudi-Canacona and mini fish selling sites at various places were shut down on Friday as hundreds of locals from the coastal parts of the taluka proceeded to the Capital City to submit a memorandum objecting to the Major Ports Authorities Act (MPAA).
Besides the main fish market at Chaudi-Canacona, the satellite fish selling sites at Nagarcem, Char-Rasta, Agonda-Palolem junction and Palolem were also shut for the day.
Earlier in the morning, about 400 coastal residents boarded several buses from Palolem, Rajbhag-Tarir and Talpona coasts to proceed to Panaji and join leaders in submitting a memorandum to the Director of Environment and Climate (Change).
Residents of Canacona have begun protesting against the MPAA claiming that it would not only kill the tourism industry but will also take away the livelihoods of fishermen and toddy tappers, besides displacing coastal residents who have been living in the area for ages.
All fish markets were fully deserted and no fish vehicle or fisherfolk came to the markets.
Most fisherfolk and people running tourism businesses and living within 200 metres from the High Tide Line had left for Panaji in buses. They have feared that the MPAA would take over the coastal belt and displace residents.
