MARGAO
Ahead of the new fishing season beginning from August 1, the hustle and bustle is slowly, but steadily returning back at the South Goa fishing hub “ the Cutbona fishing jetty.
Just two days to go for the commencement of the new fishing season, migrant crew have started descending on the jetty. Take note, the migrant labourers are not coming in droves, restricted due to the Covid pandemic, but are making their presence felt at the Cutbona jetty in groups, raising hopes of fishing vessels venturing out into the sea on August 1.
A couple of boat owners, sources said have transported labourers from Odisha by chartered buses, while many labourers have arrived by train. Mechanized boat owners hope the work force to start descending on the jetty in the coming days after the commencement of the season.
A visit to the Cutbona fishing jetty on Thursday revealed that the jetty, which wore a deserted look during the lockdown, is slowly coming to life. Labourers, which have already reported at the jetty, were involved in chipping and painting work, while others were engaged in loading items on fishing vessels.
Loading of diesel on fishing boats from fuel pumps located at the jetty will commence only after officials from Salcete Mamlatdar’s office unseal the pumps.
Boat owners pointed out that the prevailing Covid situation has come in the way of workers coming back to the jetty in a big way. Some of them, however, have brought them into the state after getting them testing for the virus at the borders, while others have got their workers vaccinated.
Some of the boat owners claimed that only a few vessels, especially those connected with fishing and require less manpower may venture out in the sea on August 1. Purse seine boat owners, however, said they may have to wait for the labourers to arrive in full force to start the new fishing season.
President of Cutbona Boat Owners Union Franko Martins said the new fishing season will start from August 1 as per the Fisheries Department’s order. He, however, said not all the vessels may go out for fishing as many migrant crew members are yet to report at the jetty till date.
“Migrant labourers have started reporting at the Cutbona fishing jetty in the last couple of days. Some of the workers have come by buses and also by trains. As of now, may be workers of around 7-8 boats must have reported at the jetty”, Martins said, adding that fishing boats will start operations depending on the availability of workers.
Former Union President, Cypriano Cardozo said that only a few labourers have reported at the jetty till date, adding that fishing vessels are expected to venture out on August 1 for fishing.
Another former Union President Savio D’Silva said around 800-1000 migrant labour must have arrived at the jetty till date. “We expect the manpower to start coming at the jetty in the next few days”, he said.
Workers engaged in maintenance work on one of the boats. Pics: Santosh Mirajkar
Strict enforcement
of Covid norms for
jetty workers urged
MARGAO: Boat owners have called for strict compliance of Covid norms, including allowing entry into the jetty only if migrant workers have undergone the vaccination exercise. In fact, former president of Cutbona Boat Owner Union Patrick D’Silva demanded that no worker should be allowed to enter the jetty if they do not possess Covid-negative certificate.
He said the police should frequently visit the jetty to ensure enforcement of norms such as social distancing and wearing of masks by the workers. “We have to ensure that no worker enters the jetty without Covid negative certificate in our own interest and in the interest of neighbouring residents”, Patrick said.
After 4 days of anxious wait,
traditional fishermen finally
make it to sea; a fruitful day
Traditional fishermen and workers push a motorized canoe into the sea at Benaulim coast on Thursday morning. Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO: After patiently waiting for the last four days for the turbulent waters in the sea to calm down, the traditional fishermen from Salcete coast finally ventured into the sea on country made motorized boats on Thursday.
Some of the fortunate fishermen are believed to have netted the prized solar shrimp in moderate quantities, while others returned back to the coast with catch of mackerels.
Normally, the traditional fishermen venture out in the sea for around July 24 every year, but adverse sea conditions forced them to drop anchors till Thursday.
Traditional fishermen Pele Fernandes informed that the fishermen had a tough time venturing out in the sea due to the rough sea conditions. “We expect the weather Gods to be kind to the traditional fishermen in the coming days”, he said, adding that some of the fishermen have reported little to moderate catch of fish, including the solar shrimp.
A fisherman from Colva informed that they had a torrid time in the sea on Thursday morning, before the crew could cast their nets in the sea. ‘My country made motorized boat has netted around 300 kilograms of solar shrimp and a small catch of mackerels. We expect the season to be good in the coming days”, he added.
