PANAJI
In a major move the State government has thrown banks of its rivers open for setting up private fish landing jetties, opening up yet another potential confrontation with greens and traditional fishing communities.
The move to permit setting up fish-landing jetties was notified in the form of a 'Policy of Private Fish Landing Centres' last week.
The notification issued by Director Fisheries Dr Shamila Monteiro, who also doubles up as ex-officio joint secretary to the government, quotes decongestion of the existing six fish-landing jetties as the stated reason to permit private jetties.
All the six fishing jetties in Goa are State-owned and operated by fishing boat owners' co-operatives.
The private jetties now sought to be permitted will be owned and operated by private entities although the policy does put in place rules for security measures and for reporting fish catch and other details including boat movement and manpower details to the fisheries department.
It also provides for the fisheries department deputing officials for reporting to the private jetties and also mandates CCTV systems and making footage available to authorities including the police.
Banks of seven major rivers -- Terekhol, Chapora, Mandovi, Zuari, Sal, Talpona and Galgibaga -- are now open for private entities who either own or have leased land to set up private fishing jetties.
