Delibrate obstructions to Fishing at Candolim and Baga beaches

 

There looks to be deliberate obstructions created for the fishing activities at Candolim and Baga beaches. Today 30 December 2025 afternoon it was observed that there was clandestine moves from the moving vessels in Arabian Sea to come closer to the shore and erect metal stages above water. Both the sites are daily livelihood earning fishing venues specially for small scale fishing communities. 

This is one more addition to series of incidents threatening smooth functioning of fishing activities specially those who depend upon their livelihood on fishing. Coastal shores and waters are under tourism aggression in Goa.

In Zuari river there is constant daily parasailing from Dona Paula to even reaching to Nauxim coast crossing over Odxel and Cacra shores. In Anjuna there is constant sound pollution and artificial lighting at night (ALAN) with coloured beaming lights in the sky. 

In Chapora river there increased incidents of Tourism speed boats wrecking havoc to fishing communities. Sand mining is rampant at Oxel coast of the river Chapora. 

Regarding mercenary action to create obstructions for Fisheries it is most likely that high ranking officials and people at Ministerial level are involved in this conspiracy. 

Calls to Fisheries department control room dud not advise anything beyond filing of letter objections with authorities.

Real estate lobby coupled with Tourism syndicate is driving Goa's fishing activities into history. It's now time to retaliate and create history. Enough is Enough!

Trawling so close to Candolim beach

This video of 10 October 2025. Trawling so close to Candolim beach.

Shifting sands and the shady shacks of Candolim beach

From times immemorial humans resides on Candolim beach in harmony. Vegetation grew and flourished on the beach. 

Candolim has been amongst prime spots from where local people offered hospitality to tourists from various parts of the world over the past five decades. Few beach shack were set up on beach to provide organised hospitality to visiting international tourists from Europe. 

In 1990s Goa Government tried to do away with beach shack to fuel profits into the pockets of hotels including luxury ones. Shack owners resisted. Around 1995 shackowners all over Goa including Candolim organised themselves into an Association. 

They used to start their operations from November onwards. Over the years somethings changed. Desire for profits intensified. Goalposts changed.  Goa Government permitted starting of Shacks from the beginning of September itself over the past few years. There is not much space for setting up of shacks on Candolim beach as water is yet to recede. 

Past few years JCB pokleins were deployed to excavate sand on the Candolim beach.  This year due to public pressure sand is being shifted manually. Vegetation of the coast is being butchered. Workers are deployed on the beach to excavate and shift sand on the beach to create stage to hoist beach shacks. The entire process is damaging the beach irreversibly. 

The people that lived on coast harmoniously with nature for times immortal have turned hostile towards the coast. Cutting down coast inwards to put up the shack to cater to tourism has created situation deeply disturbing. Number of beach shacks are sub-let by locals to unknown people to operate and do bussiness. Heaps of sands are seen on the beaches yesterday 21 September 2025 as seen in the above picture. Number of workers are seen digging the surface to collect sand and pack into bags, create heaps, create sandy stages, cutting coastal vegetation. Disaster unfolding. 

Today people of Candolim involved in beach shack bussiness has attacked the coast. It's matter of time that coast will attacked coastal people. Only regret will be that it will not separate between shackowner and fishers. Everyone will be made to pay the price. Do we really want to live life so self-destructive and risky? Candolim shackowners will be held accountable for all this.

 

What do Shack owners do with the pokleins ?

What people connected with Shack on beach stretch of Sinquerim-Candolim-Calangute-Baga does with pokleins at night is terrible. They manage politicians and police to ensure that their clandestine night activities of digging of the beaches goes unreported an law enforcing agencies. They move these machinery on the beach and trigger off the process of lifting the sand in inter-tidal zone and dump it few meters away land side where Sea waves don't reach. They create sort of stage of this excavated sand with elevation. 

How it helps the shacks ?

This helps beach shacks to start their bussiness in September two months prior to traditional timing of November. The greed of people connected with shacks including those who have illegally sub-let - by bribing Goa Tourism Department and local politicians - the beach shacks to people from various States in India gets satisfied.

How do fishers suffer?

Fishers have their houses on the beaches. Sand excavation on beaches has triggered massive sand erosion. Local fishers are denied space on beach to move around as beach shacks crowd the coast. Bore wells are dugged to extract water for kitchen in the shacks. Sand erosion is threatening the houses of fishers living on this coast. It's massive disaster unfolding. Fishers suffer greatly as tourism no longer respects local people as hosts. Instead tourism has taken Goa's fishers and ecology as hostages. Even turtles no longer find their nesting spaces intact on beach due to this destructive greed driven human behaviour. Loud music and artificial lighting at night way beyond mid-night is perfect recipe to disrup natural ways conducive to Olive Ridley turtles. No authority cares or rather Authorities that cares a dam are hoisted on licals ever since India annexed Goa through conquest in 1961.

Tourism disaster at Candolim beach

According to available information stability of Sea beach on stretch covering Sinquerim-Candolim-Calangute-Baga has come under fresh threats due to clandestine activities of shifting sands through poklein JCB machinery at night.

Candolim fishers organisation had brought this issue to the attention of North Goa Magistrate on in early July 2025 but authorities chose to sleep over the issue and accelerate threats to Goa's coast. We share text of the same letter:

From: 

Joao G.D. Fernandes

937, Camotim Vaddo,

Camdolim, Goa 

Mobile: 9689549307

Date: 09 July 2025

To,

Collector and District Magistrate, 

North Goa District,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Application under Disaster Management Act 2005

Sir/Madam,

We draw your urgent attention to main Candolim beach unfolding disaster due to rapid erosion of coastal shore sand.

For past six years beach distance has reduced by nearly 25 meters in monsoons. 

Due to rise in Arabian Sea waters shack owners on Candolim Beach deploy JCB pokleins machinery during night time from 9.00 pm to 5.00 am on beach in the month of September every year in CRZ IA and disrupt beach stability. This process has rapidly aggrevated beach erosion to such an extend that major breach in coastal ecological security is on the cards. Anytime Arabian Sea water is likely to enter Candolim village threatening major disaster.

Kindly take urgent note of the situation and call meetings with Tourism, Fisheries, Environment, Panchayat ministries.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely, 

(Joao G.D. Fernandes)

Copy to 

1. All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union, 190, Nauxim, P.O. Goa University, Bambolim, Goa

Sinquerim Tourism PNJ - Fishing Conflicts, blame it on Jealousy?

Reflections on assertions and claims of Calangute Police Inspector Paresh Naik

Its sounds bizzare but true, Calangute Police Inspector Paresh Naik believes that the root cause of entire Sinquerim tourism PNJ conflicts is a jealousy, that some people operating PNJ boats in Sinquerim river are making more money than others. He made his conclusion public during meeting on 16.08.2025 afternoon with fishers and PNJ tourism boat operators in his cabin in presence of specially invited Police Inspector, Coastal Security Police Station in Ribandar who did not disclose his name.

PI Paresh Naik also believes that letter dated 18.06.2025 issued by Director of Fisheries to the Director of Fisheries forbidding operation of Water Sports and PNJ Tourism boats from 01 June to 31 August every year is useless. According to him that letter would have become useful it it was published in official gazette. Calangute Police Inspector said he wants direct directions from the Director of Fisheries to stop Tourism boats from operating in Sinquerim river. Calangute Police Inspector opined that Director of Tourism need not honor letter from Director of Fisheries. The intriguing part of the conversation is that PI Naik resorted to use of unparliamentary language to express himself in front of people in his cabin that included women fishers.

Calangute Police Inspector with his sweeping analysis also claimed that he has checked documents of PNJ boat operators and found that they have permissions from central government. According to him central government permissions supercedes State Fisheries Department directions to stop operation of Tourism PNJ Boats. Police Inspector also claimed that he is from Nerul village close by to the controversy and is well versed with the issue.

There are few things which Police Inspector Paresh Naik needs be more alert about and shouldn't get swayed by vested interests best interest of Public.

1. That the controversy between fishers and PNJ boat operators on sharing of river water space is not within his jurisdiction to decide upon which he knows very well. Instead of taking partisan stands to support Tourism PNJ boats PI Naik should refrain from overt display of such bias and dishing out of subtle and not-so-suble warnings to Candolim fishers. Let coastal security Police handle the matter. In this sense his decision to invite Police Inspector Ribandar Coastal Security Police is well appreciated.

2. Police Inspector Paresh Naik must well revisit his claims that the root of the controversy lies in jealousy. The root of rebellion of Candolim fishers is deprivation of fishing activities in Sinquerim-Nerul River for past three years ever since Central government permitted tourism passenger boats to operate for pleasure seekers to which Calangute Police Inspector has given deaf ear for reasons best known to him. The clash therefore is between fishers in defence of their fishing spaces on one side and half a dozen people from Sinquerim pushing PNJ boats is same river waters that is used by fishers for fishing. PNJ boats are using 40 HP motors in river with depth less than two meters past three years as it is their legal requirements. Motors were replaced to 9.9 HP overnight on 18.06.2025 without any legal notification to do so by Captain of Ports Octavio Rodrigues. In this sense fisherman J.G.D.Fernandes claimed that Captain of Ports has taken law in his hands, and subsequently, logically Police needs to arrest him.

3. Police Inspector Paresh Naik has put out his tall claim that Central Government permissions to Tourism PNJ boats supercedes Goa State Fisheries Directives to ban PNJ tourism boats in Sinquerim river. Now this is very dangerous colonial situation. It means tomorrow Central government can give permissions to operate PNJ Tourism boats in any river in Goa without consulting local fisherman and even State Fisheries department and go about disrupting fishing activities. And State Fisheries Department has no right to object. Police Inspector Paresh Naik must also re-visit his position here. It is the Constitution of India which is Central government document being passed by Indian Parliament has authorised that States conduct of Fisheries within territorial waters via entry 21 of State List under Article 246. State Fisheries department has full rights to decide on State Fisheries and Central Government has bussiness to mess around State Fisheries by allowing Tourism PNJ boats in fishing spaces. This is indeed ridiculous position held out by Police Inspector Paresh Naik that needs not just re-visit but reversal. His decision support to Tourism boats PNJ is wrong and will have negative unpredictable public consequences.

4. Duty of Police, Captain of Ports, Director of Tourism was to stop PNJ boat operators after 18.06.2025 letter banning Tourism PNJ boats every year from operating three months of June, July and August when fishing is sole livelihood option for fishers of Candolim. All the authorities has failed. And what the two Police Inspectors hinted at subtlety yesterday at Calangute Police Station was to push fishers into silence. This is indeed unfortunate situation unfolding for reasons not too difficult to guess. This situation will change as Fishers assert and organise themselves in Unity and Solidarity in times to come.

Yesterday at the Calangute Police Station fishers asserted that they cannot give guarantee of Peace at the Jetty unless there is Justice to Fishers, No more obstructing obstruction to fishing, no more obstruction to fishing boats at Jetty, No more insensitive Police attitude towards fishers.

Yesterday 16.16.08.2025 evening at around 7.00 pm when fishers visited Sinquerim Jetty illegality of PNJ boats was in full flow. PNJ boats which were supposed stop their boats at 5.30 pm went on till 7.30 pm. Coastal Security Police Inspector simply did not answer calls of Candolim fishers. Indeed very pathetic State of affairs currently.

Police Inspector Paresh Naik had spoken differently on 08.08.2025 during similar meeting in his cabin without Police Inspector, Coastal Security, Ribandar. That day he said Publicly "I will support traditional fishermen. Public Support is with them". Lots of waters have flown in Sinquerim river and with that flew words of PI's words of support to Fishers in Sinquerim river. At least his words are stuck in memory and soon to be history, yet not forgotten. 

It is true that fishers have public support and this blogpost is evidence of such public support. 

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.

Police call to Candolim Fishers

Fishing canoe suffered damage due to repeated dashing by PNJ tourism boats at Sinquerim Jetty

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.

 

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.

Two Candolim fishers injured in brawl with tourists

According to Information just received two locals from Candolim fishing on Sinquerim Beach were griviously injured when group of 15 Indian tourists assaulted them today 01 August 2025 at around 2.00 pm. Injured are taking medical treatment. Police have reached the crime spot. Please share with media.

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

Sinquerim river pictures

 

Call to defend Sinquerim river

20 May 2025

To,

Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

The Director of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Tourism,

Government of Goa,

Paryatan Bhavan,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Call to cease all water sports/tourism canoes operations in Sinquerim river from June 01 to August 31

Sir/Madam,

It has been brought to our attention at National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF) through our affiliate Union in Goa namely All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) that over the past three years situation of Sinquerim river in Bardez is in precarious condition due to Captain of Ports unilateral decision to allow tourism water sports boats carrying tourists to operate during the months of June to August on the mouth of Sinquerim river.

From the mouth of Sinquerim river upto 2 kms inland 24 such boats with PNJ registration carry on their activities in the monsoon season which is also fishing ban period. Fishing ban was introduced with the intention to allow fish breeding in marine waters free from disturbance of high HP outboard engines and mechanised fishing. Allowing tourism canoes to operate in river with 40 HP outboard engine therefore is an open mockery of the very intention of fishing ban to ensure undisturbed fishing breeding season.

It has been brought to our attention by members of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union who are actively involved in fishing in Sinquerim river that such plying of tourism canoes with permission from Captain of Ports has disrupted Fisheries of the river as 24 canoes operating with tourists on board with 40 HP outboard motor on the mouth of Sinquerim river past three years. Such activities prevents fish from entering mouth of Sinquerim river as that space is kept non-stop disrupted by tourism canoes with 40 HP ourboard engine.

For the past three years this has been the situation that led both the disruption of fish breeding in Sinquerim river as well as negatively affecting local fishing communities in Sinquerim, Candolim and Nerul. Tourism cannot take preference over fishing in Sinquerim river during monsoon fishing ban and we strongly object to such priorities.

Captain of Ports office therefore urged to identify canoes permitted to operate in Sinquerim river from June to August 2025 and withdraw whatever permission granted to those canoes.

Please ensure that no water sports canoes are allowed to operate in Sinquerim river from June to August henceforth.

We also wish to bring to your attention that India is signatory to Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (VG-SSF Guidelines) from 2013 onwards (https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/edfffbfc-81e5-4208-a36f-334ff81ac10f/content). This is an International law that Government of India has declared Implimentable in India through National Policy on Marine Fisheries 2017. According to section 5.5 of VG-SSF Guidelines "States should recognize the role of small-scale fishing communities and Indigenous people to restore, conserve, protect and co-manage local aquatic and coastal eco-systems."

So protection of Sinquerim river is priority for us and we are holding your office accountable to ensure that Sinquerim river Fisheries is protected.

The Sinquerim river is used for fishing purpose during monsoon by over 350 local fishers. However decision of Captain of Ports to grant permissions for canoes during monsoon ban past three years has been without consultation with fishing communities and against the interests of fishing communities locally.

According to section 1.2 of VG-SSF Guidelines it's right of fishers to participate in decision-making process and to assume responsibilities for sustainable use of fishery resources. Your office is urged to take note of this and act to ensure small-scale fisheries remains economically, socially and environmentally sustainable as per section 1.1 (d) of VG-SSF Guidelines.

You are also directed to section 3 (11) wherein Eco-system Approach to Fisheries (EAF) is adopted as an important guiding principle to ensure fishing based livelihoods  of small-scale fishing communities are protected.

Captain of Ports and Director of Tourim are urged to cease all operations of any canoes operating in Sinquerim river with for tourism purposes henceforth from June 01 to August 31 to ensure that fish breeding process during this period remains undisturbed.

Fisheries Department is urged to defend interes of the fishing communities and object to the tourism canoes with 40 HP outboard engines that creates massive disruptions underwater due to sound waves generated.

We hope that you will take note of this letter and ensure that no tourism canoes operate in Sinquerim river from June 01 to August 31 henceforth.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,

Sebastiao Rodrigues

General Secretary,

National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF)

Sprinter Completes His Marathon: Tribute to Anthony Veronica Fernandes

 (Picture from his Facebook page)

Anthony Veronica Fernandes was to me sprinter first, footballer second, Tiatr critic third, Konkani lover fourth, family man fifth, freedom fighter for Kuwait sixth, freedom lover for Goa seventh, fearless journalist eight, defender of senior citizen's rights ninth, publisher tenth, able bussiness administrator and an activist of global stature eleventh though always not in this sequence. He died on 12 September 2024 in Candolim, Goa. 

Candle of Justice burned bright in his heart throughout. He was a sprinter in his school days at Arpora in relays and extended his sprints into marathon of time to finish it off solo. He possesed extremely generous heart and I have been the beneficiary of his kindness on few occasions. He found his way through in acknowledgement page of my doctorate and I remain grateful to him.

I first got to know him post Gulf War period in early 1990 when he put together formidable network of support: Kuwait Goan Solidarity Centre with Roland Martins animating the process in Goa. After US attacked invading Iraqi troops in Kuwait and then went back Anthony was happy man and sad at the same time. He would express his dilemma often driving home core values of liberation. US invaded Kuwait drove away Iraqi troops returned Kuwait to Kuwaitis. That wasn't done in case of Goa. India attacked Portuguese in Goa but never left Goa after driving Portuguese way. They replaced Portuguese: annexed through conquest. Anthony Veronica was heartbroken at the unfolding tragedy in front of his eyes. He once told me "we are in hopeless situation."

His passion for Goa was as intense as his love for Goa. The two combining in person of Fr. Chico Monteiro, his fellow villager from Camdolim. Anthony Veronica described himself as "Pet" of Fr. Monteiro sharing very close affectionate relationship as a child. On that fateful day when Indian forces made their ways to arrest Fr. Monteiro at his Candolim residence Anthony Veronica resisted the police. However Fr. Monteiro pacified Anthony Veronica with an assurance that truth shall prevail and he shall face his trial in prisons in Goa as well as in Patiala, Punjab. The close friendship between these two allowed percolating of information on the cruel tortures that Fr. Monteiro was subjected to in Patiala prison being put on trial for asserting his Portuguse nationality and his right to reside in Goa which is his home. His trial never got concluded and Fr. Monteiro was released from Patiala jail in an international deal that includes Portugal releasing two people from India Dr.Telu Mascarenhas from Colvale and Mohan Ranade from Pune. India called them Freedom fighters. Portugal had imprisoned as terrorists. Fr. Monteiro shared graphic details as to how dreaded criminals in Patiala jail were released on to him during meal times and let loose to torture him in most inhuman manner: excrating in Fr. Monteiro's food plate. He beared all this and shared his memories with Anthony Veronica being close friend and fellow villager, fellow footballer-in-arms.

Anthony Veronica was heart broken when Fr. Chico Monteiro died. Anthony Veronica was one amongst them who shouldered Fr. Monteiro's coffin on his funeral day. Candolim Parish Priest was furious at this and scolded Anthony Veronica. Anthony Veronica - whom controversies never left for a day - shouted back at the Parish Priest " I will bang the coffin on your head!" stunned Parish Priest went away from the path of mighty sprinter.

Anthony Veronica always stood up for truth. He wrote fearlessly against politicians, tiatrists and even against clergy. He kept the flag of Justice flying high and raised the standard with his every piece of writing.

I connected later on in 2008 while mining agitation was at its peak. Anthony Veronica joined the meeting at Prema building in Flat that was allowed to be used to conduct meetings of mining affected people, courtesy Adv. Albertina Almeida. At the meeting in June 2008 where he came over to support the movement in defence of ecology from mining predators I spoke to him first informing him that it was great meeting him yet again after Kuwait post war agitation of 1990 that he led. He expressed his regret for not remembering me in a style unique to him "with a folded hands, I apologize!" We connected and then disconnected for another decade.

Then sometime around 2015 I saw message on his Facebook page that he is threatened by some South Goa Tiatrists. I called him to know and then then collaborated almost for half a decade on range of issues. He became very good friend of my wife Margarida Silveira till her death in 2021. He got her to speak at one of the meetings commemorating Kuwait Liberation. After her death he would often burst out in tears recounting her memories, something I couldn't handle as I too was in the process of bereavement and mybemotions raw. I stopped visiting him past few years. He often commended her for courage and daring way of going about in life specially tackling might of clergy and politicians with ease. He often invited us to his Candolim residence and we as families would share some time together.

Anthony Veronica shared his love story too with us. How he was mesmerized my girl from Calangute singing Mando at Mando Festival in Panjim. How he pursued her and married her. He remained strong in his marriage. Fatima supported him at every stage of his life, stayed with him at every controversy and threat that came by his side. Anthony Veronica story is indeed incomplete without acknowledging the stellar role Fatima played in his life and risked life together often. Fatima has been support of immense value in days he wasn't as agile and as athletic in his moves as he was during his days on football ground.

Anthony Veronica commemorated Libration of Kuwait from Iraq invasion for 27 long years. Often Kuwaiti Sheikh attended these functions in Kuwait as well as in Goa. I have witnessed it once too. He was signaling number of indicators through this marathon focus on Kuwait. He was expressing his gratitude for his family prosperity and prosperity of many Goan families due to greener pasture openings in Kuwait. He was in celebration and jubilation that Kuwait is free again. He was driving hard message at Kuwaiti Sheikhs that the people of Goa assisted them personally and politically at the most difficult moments of their history. He was making a point as to what the meaning of Liberation is and deepening his yearnings for Liberation of Goa from current annexure through conquest status.

Anthony Veronica worked hard in Kuwait. He worked in single company that manufactured luxury yachts and exported world over (yet never hesitated to oppose Marina at Nauxim!). He was company's prized employee and sought to be awarded even more after his demonstrated loyalty to Kuwait during war times. He expressed gratitude to government of Kuwait and declined any personal benefits from Government of Kuwait. His only public pleading before the Kuwaiti authorities has been "always keep the doors open for my fellow Goans to come and work in Kuwait!". This pushed him on morally high. He refused personal rewards and took adorned the role as Ambassador of Goa to Kuwait not by any formal appointment but by sheer hard work and character of a leader.

His leadership talents that shone through during Gulf War were immense. He took upon himself to mobilize global political support upon himself. He flew from Kuwait to New Delhi, met leadership of Non-Aligned Movement and urged the nation's to stand in support of Kuwait.

One more fact about Anthony Veronica calls our attention. He confronted J.R.D. Tata face to face in early 1970s when the corporate was constructing Taj Holidays village five star hotel at Sinquerim. He wanted that the hotel must provide jobs to the local people. Corporate did not like his daring confrontation with the Tata empire founder. Anthony Veronica sensed the tension and risks that has come about and started his life focused in Kuwait.

Even though he was physically present in Kuwait his heart was in Goa, with people of Goa struggling both in Goa and Kuwait. He raised over Rs.5 lakh during Konkani agitation,  then several lakh to start Cancer hospital in Goa. In both the instances he met with disappointments. In the case of Konkani movement funding he was given no account of how money was spent, suspicion of corruption persisted. In case of Goa Cancer hospital project; got hijacked and Manipal Hospital inserted instead in its place.

Anthony Veronica remained on board of directors of Hotel Goan Heritage at Calangute for many years. This is the hotel that was taken to the Court by Goa Foundation for violation of CRZ laws. Anthony Veronica and the board stood the grounds and won the case on the basis that it was constructed before CRZ laws were enacted. He believed in cultivating entrepreneurship amongst Goans and led with personal example. Hotel Goan Heritage then became the favored destination where he shared quality time with his wide circle of friends.

In 2016 he published his book "From coconut trees to oil fields" and I had privilege of reviewing that book ( https://bharatmukti.blogspot.com/2016/03/from-coconut-trees-to-oil-wells.html?m=1 ). In addition he wrote regularly online at his blog https://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/?m=0

One look at his blog sends message loud and clear: No plans in this revolution is meant for retreat!

What could be the adequate tribute to Anthony Veronica Fernandes? We need to labour collectively for an answer.

For the moment let's join to offer our support and consolation to his wife Fatima, daughter Avisha and her family and his son Ashton and his family at this moment of loss and sorrow. Goa was privileged to hold Anthony Veronica to bosom while he lived his earthly live. And Goa is proud to pick up on legacy of courage daring that Anthony Veronica has kept us to tred upon, step by step.

May his soul rest in eternal Peace.

Sebastian Rodrigues