Two fishing canoes found capsized in near Sinquerim Jetty

Two fishing canoes belonging to J.G.D. Fernandes, traditional fisherman from Candolim, Goa and President of Kandolchea Kharveacho Ekvott (KKV) were found in capsized state in a day time in river waters at Sinquerim Jetty with outboard motors and fishing nets on board yesterday 12 August 2025.

Fernandes had returned from fishing at around 8.00 a.m leaving his canoes tied up at the Jetty. Fernandes and his family came in for rude shock after getting to know around noon time that both the canoes are submerged in river waters. 

Aided by fellow fishers and family members Fernandes pulled out the capsized canoes along with outboard motors and fishing nets. The arduous task was completed with hard work by 7.30 pm and canoes were docked again at the Jetty.

Fishers then scanned CCTV footage and found that canoes were dashed against by one of the PNJ boats - Blue Sapphire- at 11.06 am that triggered capsize of the tied up canoes.

While all the PNJ boats watched fishing canoes being capsized in river waters none of them informed Fernandes about the same for reasons best known to them. All the PNJ Boat operators are well known to Fernandes and this behaviour is sensed as rather strange.

Fernandes had earlier complaint to the Police Inspector, Calangute Police Station on 08 August 2025 that the PNJ boats ferrying tourists are creating obstacles to fishing boats.

Last night Fernandes again intimated Police Inspector, Calangute Police Station about the problems created by PNJ boats dashing against his canoes. 

Though fishing Jetty is meant to be for fishing canoes it's space in Sinquerim is invaded by tourism passenger boats facilitated and patronized by Captain of Ports at Panjim.

Director of Fisheries, Government of Goa has banned tourism boats from operating in Sinquerim river from 01 June to 31 August every year. However Captain of Ports has behaved adamant so far to this prevailing nuisance for fishing for the reasons best known to the office of Captain of Ports.

PNJ boats ferrying tourists are crowding Fishing Jetty, carry their activities way beyond 6.00 pm which makes evening access to fishing canoes arduous task. One of the habitual PNJ boats that creates nuisance has initials painted as "PNJ 927".

Calangute Police accepted the complaint last night at around 10.30 pm and will forward it to coastal security Police Station for further processing and action.

Tourism invasion of Sinquerim river through PNJ has prompted group of fishers including Fernandes to join All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) for wider impact, support and Solidarity.

Every mischievous act on part of PNJ Boats in Sinquerim river will only foster this process of strengthen and Solidarity. 

Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit express Solidarity and Support in all possible ways to Candolim fishers in their fight for Fisheries based livelihoods in Sinquerim river.