MAPUSA
Recent incidents of fishing activity carried out by Karnataka fishermen in Goa’s territorial waters witnessed a verbal clash in the assembly on Monday with Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai accusing the chief minister of “partnering” with outside fishermen and CM Pramod Sawant responding with a retort, “entire Goa knows who has a partnership with fishermen.”
Sardesai, stood up during the Zero Hour to express the anguish of the Goan fishing community over attempts made by fishermen from a neighbouring State who ventured into Goa’s coastal waters and used illegal methods for fishing like bull trawling.
“The inaction of the government in this regard is depriving the local fishermen of their livelihood and also leading to the citizens of Goa being deprived of good quality fish. The fishermen of other States are coming and fishing in our waters and our government is helpless. They can’t catch them,” Sardesai lamented.
He then went on to describe how a local fisherman, popularly known as Pele (Francis Fernandes) came to the rescue of the government in nabbing the outside fishermen.
He further told the House that the CM instead of helping the local fisherman was refusing to do so because he was Vijai’s man.
“Don’t do this to them. They have helped you’ll. You’ll are partners with outside fishermen,” Sardesai said.
In an instant reaction, the chief minister responded to the barb saying everyone in the State was aware who has partnerships with fishermen.
“Everyone in Goa knows who the partner with the fishermen is,” Sawant retorted.
A combative Fatorda MLA said that he was ready to resign if the CM could prove the accusations he made against him.
“I challenge the CM to prove my partnership with fishermen. I will resign or else you (CM) must resign. What the CM is saying about partnership should say it openly or else I have come with papers to prove about your partnership…” he said.
Later, Fisheries Minister, Filipe Rodrigues told the House that the issue of bull trawling was a long-standing issue and was happening even when Goa Forward Party was part of the government and the former fisheries minister, Vinod Paliencar was aware of the same.
“Whenever bull trawling activity has to come to light, we have taken action. We will not allow any illegal fishing in our waters from outside fishermen,” Rodrigues assured the House.
