the goan I network
VASCO
The National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) Chairperson Narendra R Patil on Monday threatened a protest by fishermen in all coastal states on October 30, if the plans of Sagarmala and designated shipping corridors for merchant ships are not scrapped.
Speaking to reporters in Vasco, Patil said fishermen will protest with country boats and mechanized boats by blocking navigation channels.
Patil was addressing the news conference in the presence of Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Cooperative Society Limited (OCFCOCSL) President Custodio Dsouza, NFF Vice Chairperson Olencio Simoes, NFF General Secretary T Peter and others.
Patil also informed that the executive committee meeting of NFF was held at Velsao Panchayat hall on Sunday.
NFF Vice Chairperson Olencio Simoes criticised Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari for proposing the notification on designated corridor for merchant ships to avoid ship-boat collisions in mid-sea under Project Sagarmala.
“The proposed plan for shipping corridor is to facilitate Sagamala plans and subsequent destruction of coastal community and tourism. Dilution of policies and introducing of new policies is an attempt made by the government to privatize the sea, rivers and coastline, where several crores of fishermen have depended on their livelihood for centuries,” said Simoes.
NFF General Secretary T Peter said the DGS is in the process of notifying a designated corridor for merchant ships to avoid collision with fishing boats in mid sea.
“The move by DGS can be seen to protect interests of commercial shipping companies by sidelining interests of fishermen in India.”
“The DGS is planning a corridor which is 15 nautical miles from the coastline with a width of 20 nautical miles. This is the main fishing ground where thousands of boats are fishing and the present DGS move is to completely stop fishing operation in it.”
