THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
A number of fisheries associations from South Goa have proposed to supply fish to the
government authorized persons, MLAs, Sarpanchas and mobile fisheries carts by maintaining
social distancing while disposing of the fish catch and all other precautions required under
COVID-19.
In a joint letter addressed to Chief Minister PramodSawant, the Cutbona Boat Owners
Development Union, Cutbona Fisheries Cooperative Society, South Goa Mechanized Boat
Owners Cooperative Society and Cutbona Boat/trawler Owners Association also proposed to sell
fish at prescribed rates to ensure that the public at large should not be taken for a ride by
overnight retailers selling fish at exorbitant rates.
In the letter, these associations have proposed to sell a kilogram of mackerel for Rs 250, horse
mackerel for Rs 100, tuna Rs 100, squids Rs 300 and Dorado (Bat) for Rs 150 a kilogram.
The associations, however, said the fish stock will be subject to the availability of any excess
stock will be supplied through other sources.
These associations drew the attention of the Chief Minister to the fact that the boat owners have
to provide/supply to a number of workers exceeding 10,000 crew members, who are working on
the trawlers for which a huge day-to-day working capital is required.
They pointed out that if they will be unable to provide/supply the workers the daily requirement
of food etc if the present ban of activity at the jetties continues. “It is important to continue our
fishing activities so that we will be able to keep the supply of food etc to our workers or else this
additional burden of over 10,000 workers working on the vessels will have to be managed by the
government once we run out of financial resources. Resuming fishing activities at the jetties will
also help keep the migrant workers at sea instead of lying idle at the jetty”, the letter stated.
President of Cutbona Boat Owners Union, SavioD’Silva said all activities at the jetty has come
to a standstill since April 2, the day when the ban has come into effect. “We have all decided to
supply fish to the government authorities and the panchayats at specified rates by maintaining
social distancing”, he said, adding that the boat owners are awaiting response from the
government on the proposal.
MAKING A FERVENT PLEA
*In the letter, these associations have proposed to sell a kilogram of mackerel for Rs 250, horse
mackerel for Rs 100, tuna Rs 100, squids Rs 300 and Dorado (Bat) for Rs 150 a kilogram
*These associations drew the attention of the Chief Minister to the fact that the boat owners have
to provide/supply to a number of workers exceeding 10,000 crew members, who are working on
the trawlers for which a huge day-to-day working capital is required
