Goa Assembly debate on fishing: A review

MLAs who supported small fishing communities yesterday 19 July 2024 in Goa Legislative Assembly: Cruz Silva (AAP), Viresh Borkar (RGP), Reginald Lourencó (Ind), Sankalp Amonkar (BJP), Adv.Carlos Ferreira (INC), Vijay Sardesai (GF), Altone D'costa (INC), Jennifer Monserrate (BJP), Michael Lobo (BJP) and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao (INC).

They supported in diverse ways, diverse capacities, diverse issues connected with small scale fishing communities. 

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) wish to thank all of them and desires that others turn sensitive too.

AGSSRFU look forward to further agenda of small scale fishing communities in Goa with collaborations and partnerships with civil society. Looking forward to your co-operation in this regard.

Goa Legislative Assembly debates Marina at Nauxim

Nauxim Marina came in the Legislative Assembly today at 11.30 am. Government has presented some documents including objections. Few letters from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union are also presented.

The Legislative question was raised by MLA Cruz Silva of AAP. Few other MLAs also opposed like Viresh Borkar of Revolutionary Goans Party, Adv. Carlos Ferreira of INC, Vijay Sardesai of Goa Forward and Reginald Lourenco, Independent. They raised multiple grounds for opposition including ownership of river bed being with State Government as per land revenue code 1968, existence of scheduled II species Windowpane oyster under Wildlife protection act, livelihood of thousands of fishing community families on Zuari coast, enforcement of Public Trust Doctrine etc.

Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao backed up the opposition to Marina.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant as well as Environment Minister Alexio Sequeira stated that application of Marina project proponent hasn't been decided upon.

It is very good development that Marina discussion has reached at this level to be debated at State Legislative Assembly.

We hope that those MLAs representing Zuari coast and are directly affected will also speak up at the opportune time. These legislatures as named by Viresh Borker includes Rudolph Fernandes of BJP (elected as INC) representing Santa Cruz Constituency, Antonio Vas Independent representing Cortalim Constituency, Jennifer Monserrate of BJP representing Taleigao Constituency and Babush Monserrate representing Panjim Constituency. 

Marina is sought to be installed in Zuari river based on 2010 lease deed between Mormugao Port Trust and M/s Kargwal Constructions Private Limited.

Measures required to halt illegal mechanised Fishing

Measures required to stop illegal mechanised fishing within specified area on permanent manner:

1. Patrol boat must be stationed at Dona Paula. Keeping it at Vasco puts its staff under influence of mechanised fishing lobby.

2. Night patrolling is not existing from Fisheries department. Mechanised fishing is ongoing in Zuari river at least five trawlers during night time after 10.30 pm.

3. Fisheries Control room phone number is often off the hook or non responsive during night time. On occasions when calls are answered no Patrol boats are dispatched to nab the offenders. Staff of Fisheries department responsible to operate patrol boat are absent. They have no duty allocated during night time. Night staff must be introduced on Patrol boat.

4. Records of those those booked for illegal fishing must be released in public domain every fortnight including on website of the Fisheries department 

5. Regular committee to review illegal mechanised fishing be set up consisting of Fisheries department, Captain of Ports, Coastal Security Police and the two representatives of the Petitioner (All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union) duly authorised by the General Body. Review committee must be bestowed with responsibility and powers to review and suggest additional measures required to curtail mechanised fishing.

6. According to the Goa marine fishing law mechanised fishing cannot be done upto 5 kms from the coast, let alone inside the Zuari estuary. This should be made known to all concerned by the government.

7. Punishments - fines and cancellation of licence should be there.

8. Records for complaints - written or verbal, phone or message - should be kept. Staff responsible for  unattended complaints should also be punishable.

Stop harrasment to SSF communities!

 04 July 2024

To,

The Director,

Department of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

Sub: Harassment to enter Fisheries department office

Madam,

It has come to our attention that security personnel at the ground floor entrance to Fisheries department office is involved in harrowing those visiting the office of Fisheries department. 

One such incident we wish bring to your notice that at 10.41 am on 26 June 2026 some fishermen connected with our Union were told to sign some notebook with security personnel. While they were signing the notebook one person came and security personnel let him go without signing the notebook. Security when questioned informed that that person is one ex-MLA and trawler owner. Security personnel also informed that there is standing instructions from Director of Fisheries to wave off recording of the names of ex-MLAs to the department. He also told that as per directions of Director of Fisheries only the small scale fishers are required to register at the security register because they are involved in exposing various scams in the department by getting electronic media and other press attention to the office of Director of Fisheries.

Security also insulted fishermen with rude utterances. This we condemn strongly.

We wish to know the content of directions issued to the security and the list of ex-MLAs who are exepted from signing register at the security of Fisheries department entrance as there is no list was exceptions were displayed at the entrance.

Most fair way of proceeding ahead on this is to make every member of public sign the security register as Fisheries department is perceiving security threats and no one must be allowed to enter the office - including ex-MLAs - without signing security register. Discrimination in registration at security entrance you must stop immidiately.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello

President, AGSSRFU

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary, AGSSRFU