MARGAO
The government’s order closing markets, including the ones selling fish, has in no way affected fishing activities by mechanized vessels.
In fact, there’s no ban on fishing by mechanized fishing vessels and these are free to venture out in the sea.
The ground reality, however, appears different. More and more fishing vessels are dropping anchor at the fishing jetties even though the ban on fishing along the western coast will come into force around 20 days from now, from June 1.
The reasons are not far too seek. In times of the pandemic, wherein the virus has spread like wildfire in towns and villages across the state claiming hundreds of lives, many owners have decided to drop anchor much ahead before curtains come down on the fishing season.
A visit to the Cutbona jetty, the state’s mechanized fishing hub, reveals that more than 50 per cent of the vessels have dropped anchor at the jetty. Most of the boat owners from the fishing village of Colva, operating at the Cutbona jetty, have wound up the fishing operations.
Many others have followed suit as a result of which less than 50 fishing boats must be presently in the sea for the moment.
Former Cutbona Boat Owners Union President Cypriano Cardozo informed that many boat owners have wound up their operations in view of the Covid situation.
“A good number of vessels have dropped anchor at Cutbona. The boat owners have made arrangements for the safe return of their migrant workers to their respective states,” he said.
Director of Fisheries Dr Shamila Monteiro told The Goan that though Goa’s lone wholesale fish market and the local markets shut down as per the Collector’s order, the boat owners can follow last year’s SOP to dispose of and sell their catch.
“Last year, the boat owners had arranged sale of fish in their vans in the villages as the markets were closed. They can follow the same SOP if they want to sell fish in the villages,” she said.
Not taking any risks with coronavirus spreading in the village, the boat owners seem to have decided to sell their catch to the agents stationed at the jetty.
Former Cutbona Boat Owners Union President, Savio D’Silva, said selling fish in vans and stalls is ruled out for the moment in view of the fast-spreading coronavirus across the state.
“The boat owners will certainly favour selling the catch to the agents instead of taking any risk,” he said.
General Secretary of all Goa purse seine boat owners, Seby Cardozo, said a good number of fishing boats have dropped anchor in view of the pandemic as well as the cyclone developing in the sea. “As the owners had booked tickets for the crew, they have stopped the operations. Only a few vessels may continue fishing till May 25 this year,” he added.
