Carcass of one of the dolphins washed ashore on the Benaulim and Colva beach stretch Monday morning. The exact cause of the deaths of the dolphins remains a mystery
MARGAO
Early morning joggers on Benaulim-Colva beach stretch were shocked to find carcasses of dolphins washed ashore, raising question over the safety of marine resources.
At first, the joggers thought that the dead dolphin on the Benaulim beach was just an odd incident. However, they expressed their concern after they came across carcass of another dolphin at the adjoining Colva beach.
While the exact cause of death of the dolphins remains a mystery, traditional fishermen have called upon the government to take cognizance of the incident on priority.
Traditional fisherman, Pele Fernandes said this is the time of the year when the dolphins come close to the shore. “This means they must have got injured in an incident, may be due to fishing by speed boats”, he said. “Presently, the traditional fishermen have stopped fishing with the traditional rampon for want of mackerels and the catch is poor. Hence, there’s no question of the dolphins getting injured after getting entangled into the fishing nets of the traditional fishermen”, he added.
Pele, however, said that one possible reason the government should try to find out and investigate is the role of fishing speed boats in the incident. “I do not want to point fingers on anyone, but since the traditional fishermen have stopped fishing activities with the rampon and fishing underway by the speed boats close to the coast, the government should come out with norms regulating fishing near the coast”, Pele added.
