VASCO
With the annual fishing ban set to be lifted in a day’s time, fishing activity has picked up at the Kharewaddo Fishing Jetty in Vasco as boat owners and crew members make final preparations for the new fishing season.
The jetty witnessed hectic activity on Thursday, with labourers loading tonnes of ice into fishing vessels, workers carrying fishing nets on board and boat owners refuelling their trawlers in anticipation of returning to the sea.
The annual monsoon fishing ban, imposed to allow fish breeding and conservation of marine resources, is coming to an end, and hundreds of mechanised fishing boats across Goa are preparing to resume operations.
Boat owners are hopeful of a productive season but say several long-pending issues continue to affect the fishing industry.
Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association President Jose Philip D’Souza said that while boat owners are eager to resume fishing, the overall mood within the fishing community is far from encouraging. He said the industry is facing an acute shortage of labourers, making it difficult for many boat owners to operate their vessels at full capacity.
D’Souza also criticised the government for allegedly neglecting the concerns of the fishing community. He pointed out that several subsidies promised to fishermen have remained pending for the last two years, placing a heavy financial burden on boat owners who are already grappling with rising operational costs, including fuel, maintenance and labour expenses.
He urged the government to immediately release the pending subsidies to safeguard the livelihood of thousands of fishermen and their families. According to him, timely support from the government is essential for the sustainability of Goa’s fishing industry.
Despite the challenges, the atmosphere at Kharewaddo Jetty remained vibrant, with fishermen expressing hope that the new fishing season will bring a good catch and better returns after the two-month monsoon ban.
