VELSAO: Mass fish mortality in the bay off Pale-Velsao and Dando has raised serious concern among the local fishermen, who are now seeking urgent intervention of the Goa State Pollution Control Board.
The fishermen suspect that discharge of untreated industrial waste into the Arabian Sea has led to fish deaths while apprehending it could largely affect the livelihoods of the OBC and ST communities and local fishermen.
“Its been 70 years that untreated industrial effluent are left into the water bodies killing fish and ultimately causing losses to the fishermen,” alleged Goencho Ekvott founder Orville Rodrigues.
Locals have sought GSPCB’s intervention to investigate the affected areas by conducting water and fish sample analysis, and publicly disclose their findings. They also demanded stringent measures be enforced to prevent further contamination of the water.
“This place was once brimming with fish and there is no sign of life in the river now,” Rodrigues lamented, adding, “I request the government and the GSPCB to inspect the place and collect water samples.”
The community also raised concerns regarding the consumption of contaminated fish, citing risk of food poisoning.
Another fisherman Agnelo Fernandes slammed the government’s lethargy in taking action against the concerned industries.
