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

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.

 

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)