MARGAO
As the dengue scare grips the Cutbona fishing jetty once again, serious questions are being raised over the state of affairs at one of Goa’s most important fishing hubs, particularly with health officials reportedly finding mosquito-breeding sites on a couple of fishing vessels anchored at the jetty.
Although officials of the Balli Primary Health Centre have maintained that there is no dengue outbreak at the jetty, the detection of suspected dengue cases and the discovery of breeding sites on parked fishing vessels have raised concerns over the possibility of the situation escalating if immediate preventive measures are not taken.
The latest concern assumes significance against the backdrop of the cholera outbreak that hit migrant workers employed on fishing vessels at the Cutbona jetty during the initial days of the new fishing season in 2024. The outbreak had triggered strong action from the government, with authorities cracking down on abandoned and junk vessels that had remained anchored at the jetty.
Following the cholera outbreak, the newly developed stretch of the Cutbona jetty was cleared of dinghies and fishing nets in an effort to improve sanitation and prevent the accumulation of waste and stagnant water.
However, the latest developments have brought the focus back on whether those measures have been sustained and whether the new jetty stretch continues to remain free of abandoned or unused fishing equipment.
A key question now is how many vessels that have not ventured out to sea for fishing—whether because of a shortage of manpower or for other reasons—are currently anchored at the jetty. Such vessels, particularly those that remain parked for extended periods, can potentially become breeding grounds for mosquitoes if water accumulates in their holds or other equipment.
GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins said he had been informed by health officials about suspected NS1 dengue cases at the Cutbona fishing jetty and called for coordinated action by all agencies concerned.
What is particularly worrying, Martins said, was the discovery of mosquito-breeding sites onboard fishing vessels that are currently parked at the jetty.
Fisheries Director Dr Shamila Monteiro acknowledged that a couple of dinghies had been found at the new jetty despite a notice issued by the Fisheries Department directing their owners to remove them.
Monteiro also stressed that the cooperation of boat owners would be crucial in ensuring that disease-prevention measures are effectively implemented at the jetty. “Our team of officials has inspected the fishing jetty on Sunday. We will initiate necessary measures once the report is submitted to my office,” Monteiro said.
Fisheries team inspects jetty to take stock of situation
MARGAO: In view of the dengue scare at the Cutbona fishing jetty, a team from the Directorate of Fisheries visited the jetty on Sunday to take stock of the emerging situation.
The team, comprising a Deputy Director and a Fisheries Superintendent, was deputed by Fisheries Director Dr Shamila Monteiro to inspect the jetty, assess the situation, submit a report and initiate appropriate remedial measures.
The Fisheries Department team was scheduled to conduct a joint inspection along with officials from the Balli Primary Health Centre and the Velim panchayat. However, only Fisheries Department officials conducted the inspection on Sunday.
Speaking to The Goan on Sunday, Dr Monteiro said the inspection was carried out to assess the situation and take remedial measures in coordination with the Health Department and the local panchayat. She, however, stressed that cooperation from individual boat owners would be crucial to putting a system in place to prevent the spread of vector-borne and other diseases at the jetty.
`80,000 for garbage collection
To address the collection and disposal of garbage generated at the Cutbona fishing jetty, the Fisheries Department has sanctioned Rs 80,000 per month to the Velim panchayat, Fisheries Director Dr Shamila Monteiro said.
She said the funds would be provided to the Velim panchayat to appoint an agency to undertake garbage collection and disposal at the jetty. “This will help keep the jetty free from waste and garbage,” she said.
Velim panchayat seeks Fisheries dept’s role in jetty upkeep
MARGAO: Velim Sarpanch Veena Cardozo has urged the Directorate of Fisheries to take proactive steps to keep the Cutbona fishing jetty free of garbage and litter.
Cardozo pointed out that while the Fisheries Department collects fees from fish agents and vehicles entering the jetty, the Velim panchayat does not receive any revenue from fishing-related activities at Goa’s major fishing hub.
“The fishing jetty does not generate any revenue for the village panchayat. The Fisheries Department collects all the revenue from the jetty, including fees from fish agents conducting business there,” she said.
The sarpanch questioned whether the Fisheries Department should not also be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the jetty, including the collection and disposal of garbage generated at the facility.
Responding to a question about funds sanctioned by the Fisheries Department to the Velim panchayat for appointing an agency to collect and dispose of garbage from the jetty, Cardozo said the panchayat could not understand why the department was not taking up the responsibility itself.
“We will discuss with the garbage management agency whether Rs 80,000 per month will be sufficient to collect the garbage and clean the jetty. If this is not feasible, the Fisheries Department should appoint its own agency and manage the work,” she said.
