the goan I network
VASCO
With only about 10 of the 150-odd trawlers at the Kharewaddo jetty going into the sea after the fishing ban ended on Tuesday, it was a dismal start for trawler owners still struggling to get workers for their boats.
On Wednesday morning, only seven trawlers left for fishing activity from the Vasco fishing jetty at Kharewado, while three more joined them later in the day. Most returned with a normal catch of solar shrimps.
Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (GFBOA) President Jose Philip D’Souza claimed that while labourers were available at other jetties like Betul, they were reluctant to work at the Vasco jetty fearing police harassment.
“We will meet Mormugao DySP Sunita Sawant to request police to go easy on labourers working on trawlers in Vasco. The police could contact our fishing association regarding any formalities needed by the police, instead of putting pressure on labourers.
“Over 90% of trawlers owners are unhappy and did not venture in the sea due to shortage of labourers and we blame only police harassment for this. Everyday is precious and each day wasted is a loss for us. Only around 10 trawlers have gone out and two trawlers came back with a catch of shrimps,” said D’Souza.
“This season will be a great one and we are expecting a great catch of fish, but sadly, labour shortage has affected our business in Vasco,” he added.
