the goan I network
VASCO
The plight of the fishermen came to light when a canoe is reported to have capsized after hitting a shipwreck near the jetty.
Enquiries by The Goan revealed that the fishing community had appealed to the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to remove the shipwrecks, following incidents of boats striking the shipwrecks.
When contacted, Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association Secretary Simon Pereira said some shipwrecks had been identified around the Jetty area.
"We had appealed to the MPT on several occasions to remove these shipwrecks. In fact, one shipwreck is very close to the shore and is sometimes visible during low tide," said Pereira. "Recently, a canoe had capsized after hitting a shipwreck and it was also reported that a coastal patrolling launch had also struck a shipwreck. These shipwrecks cause problems to the fishing community, coastal police and also to navigation of ships." "MPT Chairman I Jeyakumar is a very cooperative person and I am sure he will resolve this long-pending issue soon," Pereira added.
Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Association President Custodio D'Souza also complained that traditional canoe owners have been facing a lot of hardships due to the shipwrecks. "Sometimes, our nets get entangled in the shipwrecks. We have to cut off the net to get it released and this is a loss to us," said D'Souza.
Vessel debris near fishing jetty
to be removed, says MPT
VASCO: Confirming that three shipwrecks have been identified in the area, the MPT has assured to remove one shipwreck close to the fishing jetty near Berth 10 at the port. "This particular shipwreck close to the fishing jetty near Berth 10 will soon be removed and a tender to remove the shipwreck at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore has been approved," MPT Chairman I Jeyakumar told The Goan. "We are awaiting an environmental clearance for the new proposed fishing jetty to be taken up shortly. Once we receive this environmental clearance, we will simultaneously undertake the removal of this shipwreck," he added. Stating that two other shipwrecks are outside navigation channel, Jeyakumar said: "The MPT has instructed its officers to mark those sites with buoys to alert vessels nearby."
"The removal of the other two shipwrecks will cost about Rs 15 crore and will be done at a later stage, as MPT has already spent Rs 187 crore for the 4-lane road at Varunapuri and is expected to spend another Rs 26 crore for the new proposed fishing jetty," the MPT chairman said.
