MAPUSA
The unseasonal rains that lashed the State in the last two weeks of October not only devastated standing paddy crops but also threw the State’s fishing sector into disarray, leaving hundreds of fishermen and labourers without work for nearly a fortnight.
Rough seas and persistent rain forced most fishing trawlers and canoes to stay anchored along the coast, disrupting operations at major jetties including Chapora, Vasco and Cutbona.
“The unexpected rains cost us dearly. Our business was hit badly and we incurred losses as we couldn’t carry out fishing activities for almost 10 to 12 days,” said Jose Philip D’Souza, President of the All Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (AGFBOA).
He pointed out that while the boats could not go to sea, owners still had to pay wages to their crew members.
“It was an unfortunate natural event, but the fishing community had to bear the brunt. We were left with no income while expenses continued,” D’Souza said.
Echoing similar concerns, Balbhim Malvankar, member of the Chapora Boat Owners Fisheries Cooperative Society, said the late October rain severely impacted small-scale operations.
“The sea was too rough for smaller boats to venture out. If there is no catch, there is no income – and this continued for several days. It badly affected our prospects for the season,” Malvankar said.
What has upset the community further is the government’s silence on any form of financial relief, even as compensation for farmers was swiftly announced.
“There has been absolutely no help for the fishermen from the government. The Fisheries Department has failed to address our concerns,” D’Souza said.
He revealed that nearly Rs 30 crore in reimbursement owed to boat owners under various subsidy schemes is still pending with the government.
“We met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Fisheries Minister Nilkant Halarnkar several times, but nothing has materialised. The government seems indifferent to our plight,” D’Souza added.
Malvankar was more blunt in his criticism.
“The government’s focus appears to be on casinos and tourism. They are not bothered about the livelihood of the fishing community, which has sustained the coastal economy for generations,” he said.
Fishermen groups are now urging the government to extend immediate financial assistance to tide over the losses and to expedite pending payments.
They have also called for a disaster relief mechanism specifically for the fishing sector, similar to that available to farmers, to address such unforeseen weather-related disruptions.
“Fishing is our only source of income. When the weather turns against us, we have no safety net. The government needs to recognise this and support us the way it supports other sectors,” said a trawler owner from Vasco.
With erratic weather patterns becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change, the fishing community fears that such interruptions could become the norm rather than the exception.
“If the authorities don’t plan relief measures now, we’ll be left struggling every time the rains come unexpectedly,” said Malvankar.
