On the launch of Climate resilent coastal fishermen village at Cacra

12th November 2025

To,

Dr. Pramod Sawant, 

Chief Minister, 

Government of Goa

To,

Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh

Hon'ble Union Minister for Fisheries, 

Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandary and Dairying, Government of India

Sir,

Welcome to Cacra, Goa on the launch of Climate resilent coastal fishermen village today.

We at All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) take this opportunity to appraise you of the context of Small Scale Fishery (SSF) in Goa:

                                       I

This very river that we see is named Zuari. Central Government Institution Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has leased out the very water space where Small scale fishers carry their fishing activities to set up two private marinas Nauxim and Sancoale. Draft EIA Report of AHOY Marina at Nauxim has even declared that it will have long term, negative and irreversible impact on fisheries in Zuari river. You are urged to intervened to canceled both these Marina projects in Zuari river as MPT (now MPA) is Central government institution under Ministry of Shipping, Ports and National Waterways. 

                                        II

Rivers in Goa play vital role in support of small scale fishing activities. However Central Government without consulting fishing communities of Goa has declared six rivers of Goa - Sal, Zuari, Cumbharjua, Mandovi, Moira/Mapusa and Chapora - as National Waterways. This decision has posed direct long term negative impacts on SSF. Riparian lands along these rivers comes under the jurisdiction of Inland Waterways Authority of India. You are urged to intervene to get Goa's rivers de-notified from National Waterways Act 2016.

                                        III

Dharti Abha scheme of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs which is meant for Scheduled Caste Fishers is not extended to the tribal villages of Nauxim, Bambolim, Cacra, Odxel even though these are Scheduled Tribe populated villages. You are urged to intervened in the matter positively. Even though Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has been communicated to in this regard there is no response received.

                                          IV

Inclusion of MPT under the scope of Major Ports Authorities Act 2021 has created sense of insecurity of SSF as Coastal villages as well as water fronts are declared within "Port limits". Ports limits has its its ways in CZMP maps too. Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) has directly claimed its jurisdiction upto Cortalim-Agacaim bridge in zuari river and upto Betul in South Goa thereby causing long term threats to SSF activities. There are suspicions that this will further pave way towards transforming Goa into Coal Hub. You are urged to intervene to exclude MPA from the scope of Major Ports Authorities Act 2021.

                                             V

Illegal Sand mining and installation of casino gambling vessels has disrupted fishing activities in Mandovi river. Verem fishers had to directly confront casino invadion of their fishing spaces twice in last month of October 2025. You are requested to take note of this.

                                           VI

Central Government has permitted operation of Tourism passenger boats under Inland Vessels Act in Goa's rivers. These boats has disrupted fishing activities in Sinquerim river in north Goa and Sal river in South Goa. These are admistered through Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). You are requested take note of this situation and intervene positively in defence of SSF of Goa.

                                       VII

Central Government has banned fishing by use of Light Emitting Diode (LED). However ban continues to be violated across Goa's coast by mechanised fishing boats even within 05 kms from the shore at night. LED Fishing along with Bull Trawling has triggered massive depletion of fish at Sea with negative impacts to the entire SSF communities in Goa. Illegal mechanised fishing is going on by mechased trawlers and purse seine boats within 05 kms of the shore from Pernem to Canacona. It happen even in Zuari river and we had to knock the doors of Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in this regard. 5 kms space needs to be demarcated with buoyancy floaters in Arabian Sea. You are requested to pay special attention to this situation as it is directly concerned with Ministry of Fisheries. 

                                       VIII

River Sal in South Goa is very important in terms of providing livelihoods to thousands of people including hundreds of women engaged in various types of fishing based livelihoods. This river is facing various dangers and needs urgent attention. The was dredged few years ago. Pollution is threatening Fisheries. Hyacinths aquatic plant species has invaded water space of fishers. Mangroves has extended towards the middle of the river in various spots reducing fishing spaces. Trawlers allowed to dock inside the river in Assolna-Cavelossim stretch has created hurdles for gillnet fishing. Water sports in this river is a source of constant disturbance to SSF. Industrial Aquaculture farms in traditional salt pans on the river Bank release the chemical water into Sal river. Chemicals affects fish in the river and injuries are observed on river fish. You are requested to note this Sal river situation and intervene positively.

                                      IX

Canacona in South of Goa has formidable problems to hard working fishers. Saleri river has silted and river has turned non-navigable for fishing cannoes during low tide. As a result fishing time has reduced drastically and fishers are deeply troubled. Authorities don't pay any attention to their woes. You are requested to intervene positively in this matter.

                                     X

Ports are not just threatening lives, livelihoods and lifestyles of coastal people at Kasarkod, Honnavar and Keni, Ankola in Uttar Kanada. It is happening in Goa too. There are constant threats to occupation, houses and land adjacent to MPA in Vasco and Nauxim in Tiswadi. Fishers are compelled to approach Court of Law time and again. You are requested note this situation minutely.

                                       XI

Tourism promotion projects on many occasions has come to demote and disrupt fishing activities of SSF. Last National Games water sports held in Goa prevented fishers on Vaiginim Beach from entering Zuari river for 21 days without any compensation. Two weeks ago it was repeated at Caranzalem Beach when Oceanman swimming event was forced inside Ramponn, traditional beach seine. Fishers resisted. Attempts were made to declare beaches at Miramar, Siridao, Velsao as Blue Flag Beaches exclusive for tourists. Fishers resisted. Tourism has led to mushrooming of hotels on the river banks. Hotel Grand Hyatt is carrying on constructions inside the waters of Zuari river. Several Hotels are constructed on the river banks and sewage released directly into river waters. Tourism led urbanization has led to dumping of waste including plastics and raw sewage directly into rivers. Fishing nets often catch more plastics than fish. Tourists choose to get drunk on beaches and break glass liquour bottles leaving glass pieces in sand. You are urged to pay attention to this situation too.

                                     XII

Above cited anthropogenic factors combined with climate change creates detrimental consequences to fishers. Everytime there is excess rainfall Goa's dams are opened loose to let water go. This massive water flow gets iron ore mining silt and industrial waste into rivers. Pollution of water makes fish dissappear for nearly a month in places like Vanxem, Lotoulim. 

There are lot more issues confronting small scale fishers in Goa. Let's start by tackling the above issues on priority.

We once again thank you for choosing Cacra for this scheme under PMSSY. We hope with certainty that our resilience capacity will be strengthen. 

Yours Truly,

Shaila D'mello

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary 

Dr. Sebastiao Rodrigues

General Secretary,

National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF)

Copy to 

1. Shri Nilkant Halarnkar, Fisheries Minister, Government of Goa

2. Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary (Fisheries), Government of India, 

3. Ms. Neetu K. Prasad, Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries), Government of India.

4. Shri. Rodolfo Fernandes, MLA, Santa Cruz constituency

5. Smt. Jennifer Montserrat, MLA, Talegao constituency

6. Shri. Prasanna Acharya, Secretary (Fisheries), Government of Goa

7. Dr. Shamila Monteiro, Director of Fisheries, Government of Goa 

8. Smt. Shiny Emilda De Oliviera, Zilla Panchayat Member, Santa Cruz

9. Smt. Jenifer Tome Hilitor De Oliviera, Sarpanch, Santa Cruz Panchayat

10. Viresh Borkar, MLA, St. Andre Constituency

Contempt of Court orders in Writ Petition No. 370 of 2024 through illegal mechanised fishing at Zuari river mouth and call to demarcate 05 kms specified area

 25.10.2025

To,

The Chief Secretary, 

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police, 

Coastal Security, 

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Contempt of Court orders in Writ Petition No. 370 of 2024 through illegal mechanised fishing at Zuari river mouth and call to demarcate 05 kms specified area

Sir/Madam

Late night of 23.10.2025 at 10.18 pm around 10 trawling mechanised boats carried on illegal fishing on very mouth of Zuari river near Dona Paula.

This is the first incident of ineffectiveness of Government machinery to enforce ban on mechanised fishing beyond 05 kms distance from the shore after 16.10.2025 joint meeting between All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) with Director of Fisheries, Senior officers of Captain of Ports and Senior police officers of coastal security to thebranks of Deputy Superitendent and Police Inspector review implimentaion of High Court directions in Writ Petition 370 of 2024.

We believe that such Violations continue to repeat because your office has never implimented one of the important directions of the High Court in Writ Petition 370 of 2025 (All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union VS Government of Goa) that states "Patrol boats of the Fisheries department as well as Coastal Security Police must be stationed at the Dona Paula Jetty and not only at Vasco-da-Gama, because the illegal purse seine fishing takes place mostly at Siridao/Dona Paula bay area."

In view of continues non-implinentation we shall be constrained to file Contempt of Court petition against your office for non-implinentation of the above directions and all other directions contained in the mentioned court ruling where in your assurance is recorded in the last para of the order as "the minutes of the meeting dated 01.03.2024, which learned Additional Government Advocate assured that the same would be scrupulously followed and in view of the positive standof the respondents that they will act on the suggestions made by the petitioners as recorded in order, accepting such assurance which the respondents shall follow in letter and spirit, the petition is disposed of."

Kindly accept this as an advance notice of our intention to go for Contempt of Court proceedings in near future against your office due to failure to impliment High Court directions.

Further in the above context we request you to demarcate Specified area along Goa's entire coastline and keep us continuesly updated on steps initiated.

Thanking you.

Yours Truly,

Shaila D'mello 

President

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary

Complaint againt Tourism parasailing/paragliding boats in Zuari river

 25.10.2025

To,

Director of Fisheries,

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Tourism, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Complaint againt Tourism parasailing/paragliding boats in Zuari river

Madam/Sir,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union is registers strong protest against parasailing/ paragliding boats operating in Zuari river from Dona Paula to Siridao specially in the evenings till 7.30 pm that obstructs our fishing activities.

You are requested to direct them to halt their evening operations in Zuari river or initiate appropriate legal action such as cancelation of their permissions in case they don't comply to your instructions. 

Thanking you.

Yours Truly, 

Shaila D'mello 

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary

Complaint againt mid-night basket boats fishing in Mandovi river

 25.10.2025

To,

Director of Fisheries,

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police,

Coastal Security, 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Captain of Ports,

Panaji, Goa 

Subject: Complaint againt mid-night basket boats fishing in Mandovi river

Madam/Sir, 

We seek your attention to mid-night illegal basket boats fishing in Mandovi river carried on with infant children on board. This is indeed very dangerous.

These people who come from outside Goa in truck are night use fishing passive fishing gears like gillnet soaked in animal fat of cattle and pigs to enhance fish attraction through smell.

This kinds of fishing is reported near Betim-Panjim Ferry crossings. Here is the link to online media reports about the same last week:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GhNaRtjpM/

As a government authority we urge you to initiate action such unauthorized fishing practices in Mandovi river.

Thanking you.

Yours Truly, 

Shaila D'mello 

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary

Construction of wall in Zuari river waters at Bambolim by Hotel Grand Hyatt

25.10.2025

To,

Member Secretary, 

Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, 

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Construction of wall in Zuari river waters at Bambolim by Hotel Grand Hyatt

Sir/Madam

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) pre-occupied with the above subject as the its fisher members on Zuari river coast are directly affected.

There is ongoing construction of retaining wall in Zuari river waters by using heavy machinery specially at night time by Hotel Grand Hyatt at Bambolim.

The destruction in this manner of the coast has made portion of Bamboljm Beach dissappear under construction material dumped in by Hotel Grand Hyatt.

This is affecting fishing activities adversely. We are aware from media reports that many people including St. Andre MLA Viresh Borkar has already brought this nefarious activity to your attention. However we write this to you after noticing that inspite of all the public objections Hotel Grand Hyatt continues to carry on constructions almost 10 meters into the Zuari waters. 

This encroaching of water spaces contributes to rising of water in fishing sites. 

Kindly direct your staff to stop this zuari river land grab immidiately. 

Thank you.

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello 

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary 

Copy to:

1. Chief Minister of Goa, Porvorim  Goa

2. Viresh Borkar, MLA, St. Andre Constituency

3. Sarpanch, Bambolim Panchayat, Bambolim, Curca, Goa

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.

PNJ tourism boats in Sinquerim river troubles fishers

Photo shows troubled fisherman J.G.D.Fernandes at Sinquerim Jetty with limited space for his fishing cannoe against PNJ Tourism boats

With active blessings of Goa Government administration tourism PNJ boats are creating troubles for fishers at Sinquerim Jetty. PNJ tourism boats have hijacked Jetty that was constructed for the purpose of fishing during the monsoon season. 

PNJ boats have proved to be intruders in smooth functioning of fishing businesses of small scale fishers in Sinquerim river.

It is also learned that Candolim fishers has filed complaint before Captain of Ports, Director of Fisheries and Director of Fisheries. It is learned that few vested interests outside and inside the Administration at Tourism Department and Captain of Ports are colluding in the process of impoverishment of fishing communities in Sinquerim river affecting fishers from Candolim, Sinquerim, Nerul etc.

It is a need of the hour that Goa Government administration stop its hostile attitude towards fishers of Sinquerim river and do away with all the PNJ tourism boats from June 01 to August 31. 

It is leaned from RTI documents that tourism department that most of these PNJ Boats are without valid permissions from tourim department functioning with backing of office of Captain of Ports.

It is learned that All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) has applied for appointment with States top authorities viz Governor of Goa  Chief Minister of Goa and State Chief Secretary to resolve this issue as the PNJ tourism Boats are permitted through central government law : Inland Vessels Act.

People of Goa are watching as to when insult and harrasment of fishers will stop.

Call to revoke permissions to navigate water sports/tourism canoes in Sinquerim River from June 01 to August 31

03/06/2025

To,

Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Call to revoke permissions to navigate water sports/tourism canoes in Sinquerim River from June 01 to August 31 

Sir,

This is to follow-up of  letter from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) dated 28/05/2025 inwarded to your office on the same date with subject "call to cease all water sports/tourism canoes operations in Sinquerim river from June 01 to August 31".

Subsequently we got a phone call from your office to remain present for the personal hearing on 30/05/2025 at 15.00 hours. In obedience to the telephonic message delegation from AGSSRFU was present at the personal hearing held at the office Captain of Ports.

Inspite of personal hearing and your assurance to protect fishing interests in Sinquerim river water sports/tourism canoes with PNJ registration began their operations on 01 June 2025 thereby disrupting fish spawning season and fishing based livelihoods that Sinquerim river historically supported local fishing communities in Sinquerim, Candolim  Nerul etc till these canoes began disrupting stable self-sustaining local Fisheries three years ago.

We have on record verified information that your office has permitted these canoes to deploy 40 HP outboard motors mandatory. Few canoes operate with 40 HP outboard motors few with deceptive stickers of these motors are of 09 HP capacity. 

At the said personal hearing with Captain of Ports when this issues was brought up by one of the fisher from Candolim who is also member of AGSSRFU you counter questioned him rudely "Are you questing my decision"? AGSSRFU holds that bad decision needs to be questioned and you have no basis to behave rudely. Questioning is important aspect of healthy democratic practices and kindly introspect your conduct and behaviour towards fishing communities. 

Your decision to outsource dispute resolution to Olencio Simoes is not respected as Water Sports/Tourim canoes has resumed their highly objectionable disruptive activities in Sinquerim river from June 01, 2025 morning itself to the detriment of the Fisheries based livelihoods of the local fishermen and their families. 

We wish to bring to your attention the text of section 8 of gazette (extraordinary 3) notification no. B 14022/WS/Special Permissions/COP dated 7th July 2023 as follow:

"Captain of Ports reserves the right to grant or deny the NOC's in case of congestion, local fishermen problems, safety of navigation and may be revoked without assigning any reasons thereof".

You are therefore requested to invoke above section 8 of Gazette (extraordinary 3) notification no. B 14022/WS/Special Permissions/COP dated 7th July 2023 and revoke all the Permissions to operate water sports/tourism canoes in Sinquerim river for the months of June to August with immidiate effect on the ground of local fishermen facing problems due to water sports/tourim canoes navigating in Sinquerim river for the months of June to August.

Please note that your office will be held accountable and responsible for all the negative consequences flowing out of your decision to support water sports/tourism canoes against fishing based livelihoods so far.

We expect you to act to revoke the said permisions swiftly without any further delay and avoid situations may lead to unpredictable scenarios.

We communicate this to you with instructions from our Union members located in Sinquerim-Candolim-Nerul coastal belt received and dicussed at the AGSSRFU executive meeting held on 01/06/2025.

Thanking you.

Yours Truly,

Shaila D'mello

President

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary

Copy to

1. Director of Fisheries, Government of Goa, Panaji, Goa

2. Director of Tourism, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

 

3. President, Kandollchea Kharveancho Ekvott, 

937, Camotim Vaddo,

Candolim, Bardez, Goa

4. The President,

Traditional Fishermen's Association of North Goa

1611/46, Voilo Vaddo, Orda, Candolim, Bardez, Goa

Pending fishing subsidies for the year 2023.

30.04.2025

To,

Director of Fisheries,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Pending fishing subsidies for the year 2023

Madam,

We already had two rounds of meeting with the staff of your office over the past two months to sort out the above matter. And we have failed to convince the Goa Government through your office to disburse all the fishing subsidies pending for the year 2023.

It has come to our attention that 40 Scheduled Tribes (ST) fishers from Tiswadi block are deprived of their rightful fishing subsidies. After inquiries into your office we were told that these subsidy files were sent to Chief Minister's office and it is there where these files were blocked. 

This action of Goa Chief Minister's office proves that it shares terrible bias against fishing communities and indulged in sabotage by blocking subsidies files and allowing funds to return to central government. 

We are deeply pained at the conduct of the Chief Minister's office and express our disapproval to Chief Minister's office involved deliberately in sabotage against Goa's fishing communities.

We call upon your office to continuesly follow up this matter and we will follow-up with your office being directly responsible to fishing communities of Goa.

Thanking You.

Yours Truly,

Shaila D'mello 

President,

AGSSRFU 

Laximan Mangueshkar, 

Secretary,

AGSSRFU

AGSSRFU letter on problems faced by small-scale fishers at Campal Beach

30.04.2025

To,

Director of Fisheries,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Captain of Ports,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Tourism, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Commisioner,

Corporation of City of Panjim,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Seeking solutions to problems faced by small-scale fishers at Campal Beach, Panjim

Sir/Madam,

It has been brought to our urgent attention by our members that their canoes stationed at Campal are facing various kinds of impediments from Directorate of Tourism, Forest Department and CCP combine. These local fishers who undertake fishing in Mandovi river are told from April 06, 2025 by various officials of these departments that their canoes looks dirty and they must not dock their canoes at the present venue.

What is dirty and beautiful is based on subjective bias of the beholder. All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) strongly objects to referring Goa's traditional fishing occupation and their canoes as "dirty".

Parking of several casino vessels in the middle of Mandovi river has already drastically reduced fishing spaces for small scale fishers of campal Beach and other villages on Mandovi riparian coast past few decades. These casino vessels are truly Monstrosities of Mandovi that are allowed to flourish as a strategy to disrupt fishing in Mandovi river.

Further we wish to revive the memory that traditional canoes parking spaces at Campal Beach has been progressively encroached upon by Forest department by undertaking plantations of Cajurina and Mangroves, and by other State Authorities by constructing cycle track on campal Beach to benefit tourism that has blocked canoe parking spaces already and were shifted to its present site.

AGSSRFU considers this as sustained aggression against Goa's traditional fishing occupation and calls upon urgent attention of your office to do away with above cited impediments to fishing communities with immediate effect to enable fishers to carry their occupation without any trouble from CCP, Tourism Department, and Forest Department. 

AGSSRFU reserves right to undertake all the necessary actions within the framework of existing law in case your office fails to protects interests of fishing communities at Campal Beach.

We hope that you will act to defence Goa's fishing based occupations and no longer continue as harbingers of hatred against campal fishers referring to them in violent narrative framework as "dirty". We reject this narrative totally and completely and you are requested to change your approach towards fishing communities and be respectful and treat us with respect that we deserve for our hard work to earn our livelihoods and support our families.

Thanking You.

Yours Truly,

Shaila D'mello 

President,

AGSSRFU 

Laximan Mangueshkar, 

Secretary,

AGSSRFU

Impediments created for fishing canoes at Campal, Panaji

22.04.2025

To,

Director of Fisheries,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Captain of Ports,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Tourism, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Commisioner,

Corporation of City of Panjim,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Impediments created for fishing canoes at Campal, Panaji

Sir/Madam,

It has been brought to our urgent attention by our afflitatiate fishing Union in Goa namely All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) that its members with fishing canoes stationed at Campal are facing various kinds of impediments from Directorate of Tourism, Forest Department and CCP combine. These local fishers who undertake fishing in Mandovi river are told from April 06, 2025 by various officials of these departments that their cannoes looks dirty and they must not dock their canoes at the present venue.

What is dirty and beautiful is based on subjective bias of the beholder. National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF) strongly objects to referring Goa's traditional fishing occupation and their canoes as "dirty".

Moreover we wish to revive the memory that traditional canoe parking spaces at Campal Beach has been progressively encroached upon by Forest department by undertaking plantations of Cajurina and Mangroves. 

NFSF considers this as sustained aggression against Goa's traditional fishing occupation and calls upon your urgent attention to do away with above cited impediments to fishing communities with immediate effect to enable fishers to carry their occupation without any trouble from CCP, Tourism Department, and Forest Department. 

Thanking You.

Yours Truly,

Sebastiao Rodrigues

General Secretary

National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers  (NFSF)

Complaint against Illegal trawling in Zuari river

ALL GOA SMALL SCALE RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES UNION 

190, Nauxim, Tiswadi, Goa 

15 January 2025

To,

Director of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police,

Coastal Security,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Complaint against Illegal trawling in Zuari river

Madam/Sir,

There are instances of illegal trawling in Zuari river over past four days from 8.00 pm onwards till beyond mid-night.

This is in complete violation of Fisheries laws and directions from Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in writ petition no. 2844/23 and constitute Contempt of Court against your office.

Our calls to Fisheries department control room revealed that their patrol boat is in break down mode and not available for duty. So there is resumption of break down of law and order in Zuari river and trawlers are allowed to run berserk within specified 5 kms from the shore.

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union strongly condemns this Fisheries violations.

Kindly take immediate note of this and initiate appropriate action. 

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello

President

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Threats and harassment to Shaila D'mello, President, All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union by two men claiming to be from Police department on Chorao Island illegal sand mining issue personally and from their mobile number 9325085806

13 January 2025

To,

Chief Minister,

Government of Goa

Porvorim, Goa 

To,

Chief Secretary,

Government of Goa, 

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Secretary (Home)

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Director-General of Police,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police 

(North Goa)

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Collector,

North Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Mines and Geology,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Threats and harassment to Shaila D'mello, President, All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union by two men claiming to be from Police department on Chorao Island illegal sand mining issue personally and from their mobile number 9325085806

Sir,

We draw your urgent attention to threats and harassment to Shaila D'mello, President, All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union by two men claiming to be officials from Police department since beginning of January 2025.

Calls began to Shaila D'mello on her mobile number from another mobile number 9325085806 on January 02, 2025. The first call was made at 10.34 am and lasted 1.46 seconds asking her to come and meet the caller at unknown Police Station without serving any call letter. Shaila D'mello refused to abide.

On January 10, 2025 two people came to the residence of Shaila D'mello unannounced at 3.30 pm. Shaila was on the road outside her house in Cacra, Tiswadi. The two men then requested time with her. She agreed to speak to them.

The two men were in plain clothes with no name plate or buckle number indicating that they are Policemen. They also did not show their identity card to indicate that they are working for Goa Police. They simply claimed that they are from Goa Police.

The two men asked Shaila D'mello to accompany them to local temple. She refused to go with them. They entered her house and sat to speak.

Their main purpose as shared by the two men was about affairs of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union. They objected three things:

1. Letters going out from the Union to various government departments like Fisheries, Police, etc.

2. Media reports about the Union activities including press statements.

3. All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union complaints objecting Sand mining in Mandovi river specially Chorao Island and Shaila will be harmed for signing as the President of the Union.

They then got Shaila's signature on blank paper under duress and threats and she is unaware of the contents of what they might have written on the same. 

After doing this the two men left the house. After some time one of them from above cited number called up Shaila and used abusive language against her. These last two calls came, first at 4.22 pm and lasted for 26 seconds. The second call was at 5.56 pm and lasted for 1.14 seconds.

Now it can very clearly be seen as an attempt destroy our Union activities in defence of Small Scale fishing communities all over Goa. Union has Jurisdiction all over Goa and cannot be singled out for commenting against illegal sand mining in Chorao. It is well known fact that illegal sand mining is going in Mandovi river daily at night from 12.30 am to 6.00 am and off loaded from cannoes in Chorao, Vanxim, Naroa, St. Estevam and Old Goa. Illegal Sand mining is well known to Police and the way it is ignored by Police itself speaks volumes on the nexus of the underworld. Chorao Island has become epicenter of illegal sand mining trade with fear and intimidation as favored tactics to frighten people of Chorao to stay silent on illegal sand mining. Recently one Islander was even threatened death by stoning. 

Fishermen from Diwar Island has been constantly complaining about havoc sand mining has caused to fishing activities in Mandovi. 

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union is mandated to defend fishers as well as protect rivers to be fishing worthy and for this reason we will continue to speak out on issues across State of Goa and it is our Fundamental Right under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. Right to form Union as well as Right to share information in public too is a Fundamental Right under Artucle 19 of the Constitution of India.

In this context you are therefore advised the following:

1. Trace the identity of the two men who are claiming to be from Police department and obstructing smooth flow of Union activities through threats to our President Shaila D'mello and initiate legal action for intimidation and threats to cause harm under BNS as well as SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. We have identified one as Dilip Deulkar and have his photograph verified by Shaila D'mello.

2. Initiate action against all the illegal sand mining in Mandovi river as it is continually disrupting fishing activities and marine ecology.

3. Launch night Petroling in Mandovi river to trace illegal sand mining. Raid stockyards of illegal sand mined, stored and transported from Chorao Island, Old Goa Neary Ferry Jetty, Naroa near Ferry Jetty and on Vanxim Island.

4. Launch special task force to dismantle infiltration of sand mining mafia in Goa Police.

Kind submit Action Taken Report (ATR) to the below on above points.

Urgent meeting of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union was held on 12 January 2025 at the request of President and it was decided at the to pursue this matter fearlessly to defend fishing spaces and fishing based livelihoods. 

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello 

President

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Parasailing distrupts fishing in Zuari river

 

Reports have come in that parasailing tourism boats operating from Vaiginim Beach within Talegao Panchayat Jurisdiction is increasingly creating obstructions for small scale fishing communities.

Promoted from Cidade de Goa hotel currently operated by Tatas for touristic adventure scares away fish from Zuari river with the sound of high capacity motors upto 25 HP attached.

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union has already petitioned to the Tourism Department, Captain of Ports and the Fisheries Department expressing the opposition to the parasailing boats that sometimes intrude as interior as Siridao beach.

Tourism is Goa is has turned into menace in Goa and it is becoming menace in Goa's maritime waters too. This trend must be halted now.

Illegal Sand Mining in Mandovi river

Date: 04 November 2024

To,

Captain of Ports,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Collector (North Goa)

Panaji, Goa

To,

Deputy Collector,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director,

Directorate of Mines and Geology,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Deputy Superitendent of Police,

Police Headquarters,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police 

(Coastal Security),

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director,

Directorate of Fisheries,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Illegal Sand Mining in Mandovi river

Sir/Madam,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) brings to your urgent attention rampant illegal sand mining at night at various spots in Mandovi river such as Chorao river banks, Divar island banks, Vanxim Island banks, Naroa river bank, Tikhazan river bank etc.

Sand mining has destroyed marine ecology and disrupted fishing activities as well. AGSSRFU considers sand mining activities detrimental to fishing based livelihoods as river bad is badly damaged through sand mining.

Kindly initiate steps to prevent illegal sand extraction, illegal sand storage as well as illegal sand transportation through cannoes, trucks etc. 

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello,

President

Laximan Mangueshkar,

Secretary

Parasailing boats disrupt fishing activities in Zuari river

Date: 04 November 2024

To,

Director of Tourism,

Paryatan Bhavan,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director, 

Department of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Parasailing boats disrupt fishing activities in Zuari river

Sir/Madam,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union wish to bring to your attention that parasailing boats operating from five star hotel named Cidade de Goa at Vaiguinim beach is disrupting fishing activities by way of both sound pollution from their high powered motors as well as by cutting off fishing gillnet spread out in Zuari river.

These para-sailing boats enter Zuari river water upto Cacra village waterfront. These para-sailing boats often carry their activities during day time - as two boats on 02 November 2024 at 10.00 am- as well as in late evening beyond 7.30 pm as was the case on 25 October 2024.

Fishing based livelihoods are negatively affected due to these para-sailing activities leading to loss due to tearing of Gill nets by the para- sailing boats. High powered motors fixed on these boats of nearly 200 HP generates high intensity sound frequencies that chases away fish from Zuari river. This problem is experienced from Vaiginim beach to Cacra beach fishing communities.

Your office is therefore advised to take urgent and necessary steps to curtail para sailing activities in Zuari river in the light of above submission.

Awaiting your action in the matter. 

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello 

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Objections to extend subsidy net to high capacity Outboard Motors and large sized cannoes in Goa

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union

Date 17th September 2024

To,

The Director,

Directorate of Fisheries, 

Panaji, Goa

Sub: Objections to extend subsidy net to high capacity Outboard Motors and large sized cannoes in Goa

Madam,

It has come to our attention that your office through Superitendent of Fisheries is actively considering inclusion of canoes upto 42 ft and Out board motor upto 25 HP for Fisheries subsidies.

We attended to this on our Union agenda meeting held on 15th September 2024 and decided that upper limit for canoes should be capped at 38 ft and Outboard motor should be restricted to 08 HP due to sustainability factor. Outboard motors above 08 HP creates deafening sound that scare fish away. The that damage inflicted by cannoe used for illegal purse seine purpose is big and bigger cannoes will facilitate bigger fish catch in illegal operations that department of Fisheries hasn't been able to stop and in ushered in an era of fish famine in waters of rivers and Arabian Sea. Hence we oppose the department proposal as mentioned above for canoes and Outboard motors.

Thanking You,

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello

President

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Illegal Purse Seine in Zuari River

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union

(AGSSRFU)

Date 17th September 2024

To,

The Director,
Directorate of Fisheries,
Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police,
Coastal Security,
Panaji, Goa


Sub: Illegal purse seine fishing in Zuari

Madam/Sir,

This is to bring to your attention that around 20 cannoes carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at a riverfront stretch from Dona Paula to Odxel. They were noticed and reported to the Fisheries Control Room between 8.00 am to 8.30 am om 15th September 2024.

This is complete collapse of law and order as well as Fisheries administration in the State of Goa.

You are requested to take immidiate preventive steps to ensure that such things are repeated in future.

We will also report this to the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in WP 2844/23 as violation of the Court directive.

Thanking You,

Yours sincerely,


Shaila D'mello
President




Laximan Mangueshkar
Secretary

Night-time Hooliganism On Beach Stretch From Dona Paula To Siridao

Date 17th September 2024

To,

Secretary (Home),

Secretariat, 

Porvorim,

Goa

To,

The Director,

Directorate of Fisheries, 

Panaji, Goa,

To,

Superitendent of Police, 

Coastal Security,

Panaji, Goa

Sub: Night-time hooliganism on beach stretch from Dona Paula to Siridao

Sir/Madam,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) are obliged to bring to your urgent attention night time hooliganism on beaches on Zuari river coast from Dona Paula to Siridao beach. People visit on these beaches - often with vehicles without number plates - after 11.00 pm and spend time on beaches till morning. Sometimes males and females are together as couples. Sometimes groups of males descend on beaches with alcohol bottles. After drinking they routinely break glass bottles on beaches and close to fishing canoes creating dangerous situation for fishers. Often there are cases of narcotics consumption too. 

Please pay urgent attention to this for the sake of safety of fishing operations by canoes on a these beaches due to broken glass pieces every night.

Awaiting your response. 

Thanking You,

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello

President

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Fishing Union challenge North Goa MP Shripad Naik on his Marina statement

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union takes strong objections to the recent comments on Nauxim Marina uttered by North Goa MP Shripad Naik who is also Union Minister of State for Shipping, Ports and Inland Waterways. 

 https://fb.watch/nVV6MsgYj9/?mibextid=T3FBdp

Video clip posted on Facebook of North Goa member of Parliament advocating Marina in Nauxim needs our attention. Naik argues that in order to generate employment Marina is needed in Nauxim.

What North Goa MP has missed is the current employment scenario at the same spot in Nauxim due to Fisheries. Almost 95 per cent of Nauxim village is employed in gillnet fishing. 

Statement proves that North Goa MP is totally ignorant of local situation in Nauxim and shooting baseless statements instead of visiting Nauxim and getting first hand information.

We invite Mr. Naik to conduct site visit to Nauxim and also affected villages  nearby including Cacra and Odxel that are termed as inhabitants Shudras in AHOY Marina draft EIA report circulated by Goa State Pollution Control Board.

Shaila D'Mello

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary