PANAJI
The Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019, already mired in delays, has encountered yet another hurdle, with the Directorate of Fisheries failing to complete a crucial Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) survey for mapping fishermen houses and fishing-related infrastructure more than three years after the exercise was launched.
In a fresh communication to the Director of Fisheries dated June 11, the Environment department has pointed out that the DGPS survey remains incomplete in the coastal villages of Arossim and Cansaulim in Mormugao taluka and has sought immediate action to carry out the exercise and furnish the data for further compilation.
“It is informed that, as per discussions held with the High-Tech Survey Agency, the DGPS survey has not been carried out in the above-mentioned villages. Therefore, it is requested that the survey be undertaken at the earliest and the requisite data be furnished to this office for further compilation and record,” the department stated.
The Fisheries department is now being directed to expedite the pending mapping of traditional fish processing yards, ice plants, ice storage facilities, auction halls, fishermen huts, jetties and fishing landing centres across various talukas, a mandatory exercise being undertaken under the provisions of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011.
Officials have sought submission of the survey and mapping data at the earliest to facilitate completion of the ongoing CZMP-related exercise.
The delay is significant as the survey for identification and geo-referencing of fishermen houses across 257 fishing wards in seven coastal talukas was launched in January 2024 and was originally scheduled to be completed within 120 days from the issuance of the work order.
The mapping exercise is considered a key component of the proposed Fisherman Community Plan, which is to be incorporated into the CZMP framework. The survey involves identifying and geo-tagging fishermen houses, fishing-related infrastructure and traditional livelihood facilities along Goa’s coast.
According to an earlier report prepared for incorporation into the unapproved CZMP 2011, Bardez accounts for the highest number of fishing wards at 83, followed by Canacona (47), Salcete (44), Mormugao (34), Tiswadi (22), Pernem (15) and Ponda (12). In all, authorities had identified 3,855 GPS points spread across 257 fishing wards for mapping.
