MARGAO
Dozens of mechanised fishing boats dropped anchor at the Cutbona fishing jetty ahead of the fishing ban that would come into force from June 1 for a period of 61 days.
Officials of the Salcete Mamlatdar, who has been designated by the High Court the receiver of the fishing jetty, were expected to descend at Cutbona to seal the diesel pumps located at the fisheries complex.
A visit to the Cutbona jetty revealed that almost all fishing vessels have dropped anchor in the River Sal. Workers were engaged in unloading the fishing nets into waiting vehicles for transportation to the residence or godowns of the boat owners.
Heavy duty cranes were also spotted on the jetty to lift the dingy and to cover other items on the fishing vessel.
THE LAST CATCH
The last fishing trip of the season saw a couple of fishing boats returning at the Cutbona fishing jetty with the prized mackerels and balle. Mackerels and balles are the only fish varieties available for sale at the wholesale fish market and the retail fish markets in the last few days.
While big size commanded a good rate in the wholesale fish market, around five mackerels were being sold at a premium for Rs 500.
As the fishing season draws to a close, Goans will now need to rely on fish imported from other parts of the country, as well as from fish processing units and cold storage facilities.
MIGRANT WORKERS
As curtains came down on the fishing season, migrant labourers, employed as crew on the fishing vessels, are bracing to return to their native States of Odisha and Jharkhand.
In fact, the migrant workforce have already started leaving the jetty for their native States, either via the trains or by special buses arranged by the boat owners.
This crew is now expected to return to the jetty by the first week of August for the new fishing season.
BAD SEASON
Mechanized boat owners have termed the fishing season as bad this year considering the poor fish catch compared to the previous year. “The fishing season was not good as expected by boat owners. There may be some boat owners who might have found the season moderate, but on the whole, the fishing season was not good”, lamented former Cutbona Boat Owners Union president Savio D’Silva.
He said the bad season had prompted many a boat owner to drop anchor much ahead of the ban.
NEW JETTY
Most of the boat owners felt that Fisheries Department should open the 200 meter long new jetty for fishing activity. In fact, D’Silva made a request to Fisheries Minister Nilkhant Harlankar to visit the Cutbona jetty at least to take stock of the situation.
“The Fisheries Department has only issued notices to owners of the fishing vessels to tow away the scrap vessels anchored at the new jetty. The Fisheries Minister and officials should visit the jetty and see for themselves whether the new fishing jetty has been rid of the scrap vessels and scrap items”, Savio demanded.
