the goan I network
MARGAO
Traditional fishermen along Salcete’s coastal belt are anxiously waiting for the weather Gods to calm down the rough sea. Reason: The choppy waters have forced many a fishermen along the coast to stay off the sea till date.
A visit to the fishing village of Colva revealed that the local fishermen are all geared up to venture out this season, but the choppy sea has kept them from doing so.
Groups of fishermen were seen seated near their traditional country-made motorized canoes. And, so were the labourers who assist the traditional fishermen in their fishing operation with traditional fishing gear and country-made canoes.
With the rough sea preventing the country-made motorised boats from venturing out, a group of fishermen were seen catching fish with traditional fishing gear close to the shore. A net cast in the sea close to the shore helped them catch ‘shevttes’ (mullet), but the catch was enough for self consumption.
“The sea is still rough. We had anticipated the rough sea to calm down today in view of the two-days of dry spell, but in vain. We are now hoping that the weather Gods will be kind to us at least on Sunday to start the new fishing season,” remarked a traditional fisherman. Seating on the shore, the traditional fishermen could see a mechanized fishing vessel in the sea, indicating that the rough weather has prevented the trawlers and other fishing vessels from venturing out.
At the Cutbona fishing jetty, around dozen fishing vessels are believed to have taken the risk of venturing out by braving the hostile conditions at the river Sal mouth. While the fishing vessels have managed to venture out safely, questions were being asked whether the remaining vessels will follow suit.
