A traditional fishing competition was held in two categories—Lambari and Pagir—on Friday to promote sustainable fishing at the Agonda beach end.
Eric Fernandes won the first prize with maximum catches in Lambri category, while Chandrakant Pagi emerged victorious with a bountiful catch in the Pagir category.
Melvin Fernandes and Udit Bhandari were the 2nd and 3rd prize winners in Lambari category, while 2nd and 3 prizes in Pagir category were won by Premanand Pagi and Shanta Pagi, respectively.
The competition, organised by the Shristhal and Agonda Biodiversity Management Committees and Village Panchayat Agonda and supported by Goa State Biodiversity Board at Dhanyer in Dhavalkhazan-Agonda shore, saw the participation of over 130 enthusiasts.
Tribal Welfare Minister and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar along with ZPs Sumitra Pagi (Khola) and Ajay Lolienkar (Poinguinim) and others witnessed the competition.
While addressing the gathering, Tawadkar said the competition had been organised with a sole motto to promote traditional fishing.
The minister later distributed prizes to the winners. Eric Fernandes was awarded with a special prize for his outstanding performance in the Lambari category. Fishermen Diwakar Pagi, Rudresh Namshikar,Chandan Dhuri, Ravindra Pagi, Dhananjay Pagi and Shankarprasad Pagi judged the competition and declared the winners.
Canacona BDO Pranit Naik, Shristhal Sarpanch Sejal Gaonkar, Agonda Sarpanch Nilesh Pagi, Khotigao Dy Sarpanch Poonam Gaonkar, Poingunim Dy Sarpanch Sunil Paingankar, Loliem Dy Sarpanch Pankaj Bandekar, Adv Badal Gaonkar from the Biodiversity Board, Agonda panch Fatima Rodrigues, Agonda BMC Chairman Shaba Naik Gaonkar and Shristhal BMC Chairman Vinay Tubki, member Shirish Pai and project co-ordinator Suraj Naik Gaonkar were also present at the event.
