VASCO
For generations, the Kharewaddo fishing jetty in Vasco has been more than a landing point for fishing boats. It has sustained hundreds of traditional fishing families whose livelihoods, identity and heritage have been shaped by the Arabian Sea. Today, fishermen fear that neglect of the ageing jetty is threatening not only their occupation but also Vasco's long-standing fishing tradition.
Despite decades of assurances from successive governments, the long-pending demand to extend the Kharewaddo jetty remains unfulfilled. Fishermen say the lack of adequate infrastructure has made daily operations increasingly difficult and economically unsustainable.
Too many boats, too little space
Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (GFBOA) President and former minister Jose Philip D'Souza said the existing jetty has become grossly inadequate for the number of vessels operating from Kharewaddo.
"This has been our demand for decades. Every government assures us that our problems will be solved, but nothing changes. We are not asking for a massive modern harbour. We are only requesting an extension of the existing jetty so that our fishermen can work with dignity," D'Souza said.
According to the GFBOA, around 250 fishing boats operate from Kharewaddo, while the jetty can comfortably accommodate barely ten at a time. The shortage of berthing space forces vessels to compete for docking, often resulting in collisions while unloading their catch. Boat owners say repeated damage has led to mounting repair bills, while long waits to berth reduce the value of fish, a highly perishable commodity, directly affecting fishermen's earnings.
Fishermen question why Kharewaddo, one of Goa's oldest traditional fishing centres, continues to be overlooked despite repeated representations.
"Crores of rupees have been spent developing jetties elsewhere. Why can't a small amount be sanctioned to extend the Kharewaddo jetty? We simply want enough space for our boats to operate safely," D'Souza said.
Assurances without action
Over the years, several Union and State ministers, including former Union Fisheries Minister Purushottam Rupala, have visited Kharewaddo and assured fishermen that their grievances would be addressed. Local MLAs have repeatedly raised the issue in the Goa Legislative Assembly, yet the long-pending demand remains buried in official files.
The association recently invited the Director of Fisheries to inspect the jetty. While officials acknowledged the hardships and reportedly assured support, fishermen say they are tired of assurances without action.
More than an infrastructure issue
Fishermen say the consequences extend well beyond damaged boats.
Rising fuel prices, increasing labour costs and inadequate infrastructure have made traditional fishing increasingly difficult to sustain. Several boat owners have sold their vessels, while many fishing families have sought alternative livelihoods outside Goa and overseas.
Younger generations are increasingly reluctant to continue their ancestral profession, seeing little future in an industry where survival itself has become uncertain. Elder fishermen fear that unless urgent action is taken, Kharewaddo's rich fishing heritage may disappear within the next generation.
The neglect is also evident in the lack of basic amenities. A public toilet promised for fishermen and labourers remains incomplete despite construction having begun months ago. "When I contacted the contractor, I was told that government payments had not been released. Even the promised toilet remains unfinished. Hundreds of workers continue to work without basic sanitation facilities," D'Souza said.
For the fishing community, the issue is no longer merely about infrastructure. It is about protecting a centuries-old occupation that has shaped Vasco's coastal identity.
The fishermen have once again appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to sanction an extension of the existing jetty, saying the project would require only a fraction of the expenditure incurred on larger fishing infrastructure elsewhere while providing immediate relief to hundreds of families dependent on the sea.
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Awaiting central funds for world-class jetty: MLA
VASCO: Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar said the State government has spent nearly Rs 50 lakh on repairs to the existing Kharewaddo fishing jetty to keep it operational for fishermen. He said the government was now pursuing a long-term solution by planning a state-of-the-art fishing jetty with financial assistance from the Central Government. According to Salkar, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared and submitted to the Centre.
"We are now awaiting the release of funds from the central government. Once the funds are sanctioned, work on the new world-class fishing jetty will be taken up," he said.
