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”.
