the goan I network
MARGAO
World famous Benaulim beach, they say is normally crowded during the weekends and in the evenings. Known for its silvery sands and serene environment, the beach attracts both foreign tourists and local visitors alike.
Post-formalin episode that rocked the State a couple of months ago, Benaulim beach has begun to attract local visitors in droves, almost every day, mostly from the neighbouring villages. Reason. Wary of the fish sold in the wholesale and retail fish markets after the formalin row, health conscious Goans prefer to head to Benaulim beach in search of fresh and formalin-free fish.
In fact, it is now not uncommon to find many a fish eating Saxttikar descending on the Benaulim beach to lay their hands on fresh and safe fish netted by the traditional rampons (fishing gear) and by the motorised canoes. Be it in the mornings or evenings, people looking out for fresh fish spend time on the beach, waiting for the traditional fishermen to pull the rampon or for the motorised canoes to land with tons of fresh fish.
Says Maria Rodrigues, a fisher woman from Benaulim: “We net fresh fish on the beach every day, both in the morning and evening session. This is fresh fish and free from formalin. That’s the reason why people form far and wide come and wait on the beach for the arrival of the fish.”
Local fishermen pointed out that the number of people on the beach to buy fish has increased manifold after the formalin row hit the State in July. Says Pele Fernandes: After the row, people from Varca, Navelim, Telaulim and even Margao come to Benaulim to buy fresh fish. The fish netted by the traditional fishermen is fresh and formalin free. That’s the reason why hundreds of people prefer to come to the Benaulim beach everyday,” he added.
With formalin row coming back to haunt the authorities, Pele says that the authorities should be strict in ensuring that only formalin-free fish is made available for sale in the market. “I am told that today sardines have tested positive for formalin. From where has the sardines come from when sardines were not netted by the traditional fishermen in the recent days,” he argued.
Pele, however, said there ought to be no politicisation of the formalin issue when it affects the health of the citizens.
