Police call to Candolim fishers

On 16 August 2025 at 12.00 noon J.G.D. Fernandes Fisherman from Candolim is again asked over the phone to report to Calangute Police Station.

There are conflicting interests between the fishers and tourism PNJ boat operators in Sinquerim river. Fishing Jetty that is de facto taken over by tourism boat operators.

Tourism PNJ boats are parked in the river creating enormous obstacles to fishing activities.

PNJ boats carry on passenger pleasure trips inside the Sinquerim river thereby jeopardizing fishing in the river.

At the Sinquerim Jetty PNJ boats bang and dash against fishing boats causing damage and even capsize of fishing canoes. Jetty is crowded with Tourism PNJ boats making it impossible for fishers to operate their canoes from the Sinquerim Jetty.

Fishers have been complaining to the authorities over the past three months. In response Director of Fisheries issued letter dated 18.06.2025 to the Director of Tourism with copy to Captain of Ports directing to stop movement of Tourism PNJ boats from operating in Sinquerim river from 01 June to 31 August every year.

Inspite of this directive neither the Tourism department nor the Captain of Ports has taken any steps to get the Tourism PNJ boats off river till 31 August. 

Fisheries within 12 nautical miles is a State subject with entry number 21 under Article 246 of the Indian Constitution. Directions of the Director of Fisheries to stop Tourism PJN from operations cannot be over ruled by tourism department and Captain of Ports. Both these departments are working against fishers interests in Sinquerim river thereby insulting the Fishers of Candolim.

Question before all of us is: should Tourism be allowed to ruin Goa's traditional occupations like fishing? This is exactly the controversy in Sinquerim river currently and answer is still eluding.

Kindly call up Calangute Police Station on the landline number 0832 227 8284 and demand an update on the situation. We have received information that Coastal Security Police is going to visit Calangute Police Station for a meeting with Candolim fishers on 16.08.2025.

In the meantime J.G.D. Fernandes, fisherman received phone calls on 14th and 15th August 2025 from calangute police asking him to get his canoes out of Sinquerim river. Fernandes has refused to do so. We will know as to how things are unfolding by late afternoon on 16.08.2025. Stay connected.