Traditional fishermen in the Arabian sea off Benaulim coast with traditional fishing canoe and gear. Fisherman Pele voiced his apprehensions about the Betul Port.
MARGAO
If traditional fishermen from Betul has raised their apprehensions over the proposed Betul port, traditional fishermen eking a living along Salcete coast, by fishing in the shallow water of the Arabian sea, has raised similar concerns over the port coming up right within their fishing habitat.
Benaulim-based fisherman Pele Fernandes said development of the Betul Port will spell doom for the local fishing communities. “When the tender floated by the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) speaking about a feasibility study on road and railway network, this goes to show that that Betul is being developed into a port for coal transportation”, Pele said.
He added: “A coal hub right adjoining our fishing habitat will spell doom for the traditional fishermen. Today, when I went out into the sea for fishing, I came across two persons using a traditional canoe and fishing gear to catch fish. We have kept alive our traditional fishing occupation. A coal hub right in our habitat will destroy marine life as well as the livelihood of traditional fishermen”.
