According to the received reports at 11.40 am today 17 October 2023 State Government through Captain of Ports is attempting to shut down fishing activities in Arabian Sea being operated by traditional gillnet fishermen from Vaiginim beach where Taj operated Cidade de Goa five star hotel is located.
National Games in Goa are to begin shortly and to last for 20 days and if the plans of State Government materializes then fishermen and our families will be rendered with snatched livelihoods for 20 days or may be even forever should Tatas conquer Vaiginim Beach.
What is even more scary is that office of Captain of Ports is asking the fishermen to clean up the beach of canoes. This is indeed nightmarish situation.
All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries strongly condemns attempts to shut down fishing activities of small scale fishers of Arabian Sea and Zuari river and calls upon Goa Government to refrain from embarking on such suicidal adventure.
Earlier during G-20 meeting similar attempt to clear the beach of fishing canoes was made directly by Taj administered Cidade de Goa few months ago. Fishermen had strongly resisted these moves of Tatas that time and carried in their fishing activities with normal course.
The memories of attacks on fishermen in Morjim beach through demolitions and Cacra Beach through mischievous fires during past few months are fresh and the All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union condemns clandastine ant-fisher policies being manifested through Captain of Ports and other State agencies.
Similarly Kalinganagar massacre by Tatas against mylnivasi people has dark presence in Indian History. It's best that Tata avoid playing around lives and livelihoods of FIshing communities in Goa.
Also read https://thewire.in/labour/goas-fishermen-protest-fishing-ban-imposed-during-national-games
Also read an Article by Amita Kanekar below
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Edit/Opinions/No-Coast-for-Fisherfolk/213449
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