MARGAO
With just two days left before the commencement of the new fishing season, mechanised boat owners at the Cutbona fishing jetty are keeping their fingers crossed over a host of challenges, including the delayed arrival of migrant workers and uncertainty over the weather.
Fishermen are also apprehensive about the possibility of cyclonic activity after the fishing ban is lifted, noting that the monsoon has so far passed without any cyclone, raising concerns that one could strike during the early days of the season.
A visit to the Cutbona fishing jetty, the State's largest fishing hub, on Wednesday revealed that only a small section of the migrant workforce had arrived ahead of the new fishing season. While some workers were busy loading fishing nets, others were engaged in preparing fishing vessels for their maiden voyage after the two-month monsoon fishing ban.
Chairman of the Cutbona Fisheries Society, Savio D'Silva, said that although the annual fishing ban will be lifted on Friday night, several mechanised fishing vessels may remain anchored due to an acute shortage of workers. "Most of the migrant workers have not yet reported to the Cutbona fishing jetty. As a result, many boat owners may have no option but to delay venturing into the sea until their crew arrives," D'Silva said.
He attributed the delay to prevailing weather conditions in Odisha, from where a large number of migrant workers are recruited. "At present, Odisha is receiving rainfall. During this period, many workers prefer to remain in their villages and work in the agricultural fields. This could delay their arrival in Goa," he explained.
D'Silva also expressed concern over the alleged exploitation of migrant labour by a few boat owners who, he claimed, had entered the fishing business purely for commercial gain. "There have been instances where some unscrupulous boat owners failed to make full payments to migrant workers after the last fishing season. We urge the Fisheries Department not to allow businessmen with no traditional link to the fishing industry to enter the sector, as there is every possibility of labour exploitation for short-term gain, which could ultimately affect the fishing community," he said.
On the weather front, D'Silva said forecasts of a possible cyclone have prompted many boat owners to adopt a cautious approach. "The weather department has predicted the possibility of a cyclone, so many boat owners are adopting a wait-and-watch approach. Weather conditions can change at any time, and nothing can be predicted with certainty, but there are forecasts of a major cyclone in the coming days," he added.
Poor fish catch feared amid lack of cyclones
MARGAO: Traditional fisherman from Betul, Vasudev Kerkar, on Wednesday said the absence of normal monsoon rains and cyclonic activity in the Arabian Sea has left many fishermen uncertain about the prospects of a good fishing season.
Kerkar also advocated extending the annual fishing ban along India's west coast from the present 60 days to 90 days, saying the move would help ensure sustainable fishing and improve fish stocks.
Explaining the link between cyclones and fish availability, Kerkar said rough seas and strong currents generated by cyclonic systems drive fish closer to the coastline, making them more accessible to fishermen. "If there is no cyclone, the fish do not come close to the shore. Strong winds and currents push the fish towards the coast. Our elders always used to say that good monsoon rains and cyclonic winds result in a better fish catch," he said.
"At present, there has been inadequate rainfall, and the Arabian Sea coast is yet to witness a cyclone. This has made many fishermen apprehensive about how the fishing season will unfold," Kerkar added.
