MPT recipe for quick end to Zuari river fishery - Part 1

By any standard MPT has prepared so far best recipe to quick end Zuari River fisheries. After the repeated appeals of Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari to Zuari river fishermen to get trawlers and move into high seas got rejected, through Murmagoa Port Trust (MPT), it now plans to speedily destroy fish habitats in the River. According to the EIA report on Goa State Pollution Control Board website details of how Zuari river will be destroyed are spelt out clearly. The Public Hearing for expansion of Port is slotted for October 05, 2018 at Airport Road, Chicalim grounds in Goa from 10.30 am on wards.


Even though report claims in para 7.2 that port expansion will ultimately lead to the quality of of life of local people, quality of fisheries is destined to be poisoned. The scare of formalin laced fish imports into Goa has dominated public discourse over the past few months in favour of buying of local fish available in Goa. However examination of MPT plans of expansion would leave fish quality in Zuari poisoned. This EIA report has established connections between Zuari and Mandovi via Cumbharzua canal so the poison is destined to spread to these water bodies too besides Arabian Sea. The implications of this scenario is that not only fisher's livelihoods are at stake but also the health of those who will consume fish from these water bodies. It is therefore necessary that people should take up responsibility of defending Zuari river from the planned ambush by India's Ministry of Shipping rather than to leave Zuari river fishers to fend for themselves in an ongoing battle for this river waged from 2014. This battle is even bigger onw involving proposed modernisation and expansion at MPT under Sagarmala project of the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India as per para 2.3 of EIA.


Interestingly EIA on page 122 already acknowledges that these already loss of fishery resources and their habitats due to pollution, coastal development and intense illegal fishing; and their replenishment necessitates some strategic approaches. Irony of our times is that MPT after knowing that there is already loss of fisheries is working towards destroying them even further with irreversible changes. 

Pollution will spread through oil spills is admitted in para 4.5.2 and consequence is visualized too. It is noted "Only major impact on marine ecology is expected from accidental oil spills at liquid cargo berth. Oil destroys water repellency of bird's feathers, thus exposing these creatures to hard elements without the ability to repel water and insulate from the cold water, birds may die from hypothermia. Many birds also ingest oil when they try to clean themselves which can poison them. Fish, Shellfish and marine mammals may not be exposed immediately, but can come into contact with oil if it is mixed into water column. When exposed to oil adult fish may experience reduced growth, enlarged livers, changes in heart and respiratory rates, fin erosion and reproductive impairment. Oil also adversely affects eggs and larval survival." This is unacceptable risk of further polluting of Zuari river.  

After pollution this EIA report as quoted above points to coastal development as a cause of loss of fishery resources in Zuari on page 122. And MPT embarks on more coastal development! Totally insensitive and in fact arrogant decision to reclaim Zuari river by dredging and dumping specially recognizing that such coastal development causes loss of fishery resources. Terms of Reference to this EIA is for reclamation of 65,000 square meters. Page 44 under para 2.4.1 exceeds this limit and puts this figure to 85,195 square meters. However detail calculations of the break up on the same page exceeds even this and totals up to 85,715 square meters - 520 square meters in addition! So actual difference from the permitted total is 20,715 square meters. Is this not river grab scam? For purpose of construction on reclaimed land over the period of 24 months 60,000 cubic meters of sand will be needed and that will be procured from the nearby vendors as per page 47 para 2.4.3 of the EIA. Sand mining has a prowess to disrupt ecology and for this which rivers MPT plans to disrupt? Mandovi? Chapora? Tiracol? "nearby" vendors identity is not revealed in EIA. So in order to accomplish one ecological port expansion catastrophe more ecological catastrophes needs to be unleashed! This coastal development of port expansion is destined to further aggravate situation of marine ecology pollution. Sagarmala project has sanctioned Rs. 124.00 crore for fishing jetty as per Table 2.9 on page 48. Where do fisheries department allotted Rs.10 crore for fishing Jetty in Vasco will be utilized? Page 28 para 2.3.1 informs that the Goa Boat Boat owner's Association has been demanding a fully fledged jetty for landing of their catch. However there is no attached letter from the mentioned in EIA report to substantiate the MPT claim.

Next to Pollution and Coastal Development is illegal fishing in Zuari causing loss of fishery resources. To a great extend this is true and some clues are available. Goa Fisheries department has identified certain organizations for carrying on illegal fishing by trawlers in Zuari river. Here is one link. Illegal fishing is also being carried on by mini purse seine boats and Goa Fisheries department documents are available. Click here. MPT since 2000 has claimed that its jurisdiction over Zuari extends upto Cortalim bridge. Ministry of Shipping, Government of India has even published this in the Official gazetteer of India in May 2000. What MPT has done to stop illegal fishing in Zuari estuary when their EIA records that it is one of the causes for loss of Fisheries in Zuari river? EIA does not record any legal fishing activities in Zuari river. There are no such activities as per MPT? Or is it Nitin Gadkari's direction that fishermen's existence should not be recorded at all? Marina plans for Zuari are active in Investment Promotion Board (IPB) and they also do not find mention in EIA. Its a farce.

Sebastiao Rodrigues

mobile: 09923336347

Illegal Fishing: Seven mini purse seine boats captured from River Zuari

According to reports received at 1.00 pm today September 20, 2018 seven mini purse seine boats indulging in illegal fishing in River Zuari within 50 meters distance from Nauxim and Cacra shoreline has been captured and towed at Siridao coast. The action was jointly carried by various fishing communities on Zuari coast. There was tension built up over the past few days due to repeated illegal fishing in Zuari river. On 12/09/2018 over 80 mini purse seine boats carried on illegal fishing at 7.30 am. On 16/09/2018 inside River Zuari 2 trawlers carried on illegal fishing. On 17/09/2018 nearly 07 trawlers carried on illegal fishing very close to Odxel shore. Today morning at 9.25 am onwards 12 mini purse seining boats carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river.

In all cases, the fisheries department control room was called and informed. They promised to sent patrol boat but never did so. Then they informed that they asked coastal security police to send their boat which rarely comes and if it does then it never captures any trawlers. When called at Harbour Coastal Police Station they indulge in defaming Sanjay Pereira that he is giving wrong information on illegal fishing in Zuari. Fisheries department shares the mobile numbers of those who complain about the offenders at Zuari river who then call up fishing communities indulging in Gill net fishing and threaten with violence. Today coastal security harbour police station land line number was disabled and not communicable. Very bad state of affairs indeed!

In this context now it remains to be seen as to what action Goa Fisheries department takes today with regard to captured fishing boats. It has been repeated the advice of coastal communities to induct 24 hours monitoring of Zuari river for illegal fishing but has not been done by Fisheries department even though promised. It has sanctioned Rs. 10 crores to construct fishing jetty at MPT but has not sanctioned even Rs. 10 to procure patrol boat for exclusive patrolling of Zuari river. When fishermen offered to forgo their subsidies for one year and divert funds to buy boats; that too was rejected by the erstwhile Director of Fisheries Shamila Monteiro.

So basically Goa Fisheries department is not interested in providing a solution but only aggravates problems of illegal fishing by its inaction, act of omission. There is a crisis in political leadership as it suffers from blurred vision towards the present. Zuari river is left to be cared for by none but by the coastal fishing communities. These communities are left with no option but to enforce fisheries laws that the fisheries department repeatedly fails to enforce. For a long-term solution to emerge Goa University, International Centre, Goa etc that occupies tribal lands has to play a proactive role in defending these fishing communities from various intruders on the prowl.

Jungle law reigns in River Zuari

Not withstanding any inputs yesterday from Coastal Security Police at Ribandar, Goa, purseining fishing boats carried on illegal fishing in full gusto today morning in Zuari river contributing greatly to the depletion of fish by use of banned fishing purse seine fishing nets within 5 kms from the Odxel shoreline. Around 80 purse seine boats carried on this illegality early morning today along with 5 trawlers that dig river bed disrupting marine ecology and livelihood of traditional fishing communities.

One is compelled to conclude that there is complete break down of fisheries department as well as Coastal security police. Fishermen who call up fisheries department are threatened by some vested interests with violence in Arabian Sea. Rule of law has departed from Zuari and Jungle law has reigned in due the utter lethargy displayed by Home Ministry and Fisheries Ministry. Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa State condemns the operation of Jungle law in River Zuari. One wonder as to what right Fisheries Minister, Secretary (fisheries), and director of fisheries has to continue to hold on to their office? Shamila Monteiro was chucked out as Director of Fisheries for failure to stop illegal fishing in River Zuari. The lone IAS officer who cracked down on illegal fishing was Govind Jaiswal. Current leadership of fisheries department is a mega flop show that must immediately stop.

Can Goa's Coastal Security Police stop illegal fishing in River Zuari ?

Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM) welcomes intiative of Police Inspector Nerlon Albuquerque of Harbour Coastal Security Police Station on the question of illegal fishing in Zuari River. BMM has been consistently highlighting this issue for past four years. BMM however believes that police action has to go beyond interaction to a concrete action against the offenders. There are daily violations of fishing laws in Zuari by trawlers and purse seine fishing boats. Today 11/09/2018 itself there were 30 purse seine boats indulged in violation of law at 10.10 am in Zuari river.

According to Rule 10(1) of the Goa, Daman and Diu Fisheries Rules, 1981 “No person shall use a net the mesh size whereof is less than 24 mm for catching fish and 20 mm for catching prawns” What is the mesh size of purse seine nets? Far less. How many of them are registered with fisheries department? None.

Goa Government banned trawlers from fishing within 5 kms from the shoreline under section (2)(H) and section 4(1) of Marine Fishing Regulations Act, 1980 on July 09, 1981. Its implementation however takes place only in regular disciplined breach causing deep blows to marine ecology and livelihood options of the fishing communities.

In 2017 Directorate of Fisheries via notification Order no. DF/ENF/ORDER/2016-17, Official Gazette, Series II, No. 41, January 12, delegated powers to take action on illegal fishing to the following:

1.     Deputy Director, Directorate of Fisheries

2.     Superintendent of Fisheries, Directorate of Fisheries

3.     Assistant Superintendent of Fisheries, Directorate of Fisheries

4.     Fisheries Officer, Directorate of Fisheries

5.     Police Inspector

6.     Police Sub-Inspector

7.     Assistant Police Sub-Inspector

8.     Head Constable

9.     Mamlatdar

10.   Joint Mamlatdar

11.    Block Development Officer (B.D.O)

All of them has proved to be failures in tackling the issue of illegal fishing in Zuari.

BMM hopes that Coastal Police will explain the above laws to the fishing rights offenders and stop this menace completely.

Entire Fisheries Ministry lacks Statesmanship as well as leadership. Minister is a flop and so the Secretary Fisheries in the same boat. There is regular match fixing at the highest level to promote illegal fishing at Zuari river motivated by greed and avarice.

BMM wishes Nerlon Albuquerque all the best and extend support and collaboration in whatever possible even though he has carefully kept BMM out of this meeting called at Ribandar so that our members are not able to participate today. Anyway as Goa’s fisheries laws are clear it is the duty of Fisheries department and the Coastal Police to implement them in Zuari river in following manner: Zero tolerance to trawlers in Zuari, and zero tolerance to purse seine fishing in Zuari.

Reply to MLA Carlos Almeida in Goa Legislative Assembly by Goa Fisheries in July 2018 says it all: Found only one trawler fishing illegally in Zuari river. One can safely conclude that Zuari river has be handed over to be looted and plundered. This must stop!

Illegal fishing in Zuari river by trawlers and mini purse seine boats

Date: 27/08/2018

To,

FRANCISCO MANUEL SILVEIRA

Member of Legislative Assembly

St. Andre Constituency,

Goa

To,

ANTONIO CAETANCO FERNANDES

Member of Legislative Assembly

ST. Cruz Constituency

Goa

To,

JENIFFER MONSERRATE

Member of Legislative Assembly

Taleigao Constituency

Goa

Subject: Illegal fishing in Zuari river by trawlers and mini purse seine boats

Madam/Sir

During last one week there has been large scale illegal fishing ongoing in Zuari river. We have informed fisheries department over the phone but response has been poor. On August 25, 2018 fishermen captured three mini purse seine boats while fishing in Zuari river. By law this confiscation should have been done by government as per Rule 3 (2) of the Goa, Daman and Diu Fisheries Rules, 1981. However this is left for fishermen to do.

Today morning there were 45 mini purse seine boats till 9.00 am in the morning. There is total collapse of fisheries administration in Zuari river. According to Rule 10(1) of the same rules “No person shall use a net the mesh size whereof is less than 24 mm for catching fish and 20 mm for catching prawns” What is the mesh size of purse seine nets? Far less. How many of them are registered with fisheries department? None.

Goa Government banned trawlers from fishing within 5 kms from the shoreline under section (2)(H) and section 4(1) of Marine Fishing Regulations Act, 1980 on July 09, 1981. Still why there is continues trawling going in Zuari river, often within 200 meters from the shore? This is because Goa Government do not carry on patrolling even though it is supposed to be done under Rule (3)(3) of the above referred rules.

In 2017 Directorate of Fisheries via notification Order no. DF/ENF/ORDER/2016-17, Official Gazette, Series II, No. 41, January 12, delegated powers to take action on illegal fishing to the following:

1.     Deputy Director, Directorate of Fisheries

2.     Superintendent of Fisheries, Directorate of Fisheries

3.     Assistant Superintendent of Fisheries, Directorate of Fisheries

4.     Fisheries Officer, Directorate of Fisheries

5.     Police Inspector

6.     Police Sub-Inspector

7.     Assistant Police Sub-Inspector

8.     Head Constable

9.     Mamlatdar

10.                        Joint Mamlatdar

11.                        Block Development Officer (B.D.O)

You are therefore requested to convene meeting of these officials urgently to in order to stop illegal fishing incidents occurring regularly in Zuari river.

Thanking You,

Yours sincerely,

Sebastiao Rodrigues

Convenor, Goa State

Sanjay Pereira

Convenor, Cacra Unit

Soccorro Braganza

Convenor, Siridao Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convenor, Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convenor, Nauxim Unit

Ms. Kalpana Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Siridao Unit

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Honu Divkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Nauxim Unit

Yeshwant Shirvoikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Manguesh Sawant

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Amir Mardolkar

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Francis Coelho

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Jaya Kuttikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Jonu Shirvoikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ms. Sheila D’mello

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ashok Kukalkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ganashyam Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Uttam Martins

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Rohit Hadkonkar

Co-convenor, Bambolim Unit

Sanju Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Chandranath Rosario

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Vijay Sawant

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ragunath Sautodkar

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Mahadev Andre Rosario

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Laxman Mangueshkar

Co-convenor, Siridao Unit

Copy to:

Director of Fisheries, Panjim, Goa

Time for Goa University to defend fish breeding sites in Zuari river

There were all together three purse seine boats captured by Siridao fishermen on Saturday, August 25, 2018 morning. They were fishing in Zuari river within distance of 100 meters from Siridao shore. The legal limits to carry on the fishing for purse seine boats is 500 meters from the shore. They were captured and brought to the shore in Siridao village. 

Local MLA Francisco Silveira came to the site of conflict and stayed there for three hours mediating in conflict. He called in Coastal Police. Fishermen alerted Journalist and few of them visited site. One of the members of Pubic called up Director of Fisheries Vinesh Arlekar and questioned him about the captured purse seine boats. He was ignorant about the incident but promised to send his officers to the site. Then two officers indeed came to the site and witnessed captured purse seine boats. What they recorded is not known so far. More details are awaited on this.

In the meanwhile it has been observed that while illegal purse seine boats were towed to the Siridao shore two trawlers carried on illegal fishing near St. Jacinto Island in Zuari river. Most of the illegal fishing through trawling and purse seine boat enjoys political patronage of the various quarters of the State Government. That is the reason it is going on without any checks neither from Marine Police nor from Fisheries department.

Due to absence of public engagement with fisheries in Goa the situation is deteriorating rapidly. Fish breeding sites are under tremendous attack from illegal fishing by trawlers and purse seine boats. Zuari river is a case in focus. The local fishermen of the Zuari coast from Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel are facing threats to their livelihood because of this public apathy. Though People in Goa relish eating fish they are far behind in demonstrating required concern towards threats to fish breeding sites. This is indeed tragic situation and must be changed.

Many of these fishermen especially from Cacra were earlier living comfortably by planting vegetable on land. However installing Goa University on their lands made them to look seawards for survival by fishing with gillnet. In Sea too there are fresh threats to fishing as demonstrated above. Fishermen stands no change of getting jobs promised to them in the University before land was taken over. Currently demanded bribe for the non-teaching jobs such as peons and sweepers has touched nine lakhs rupees according to Sanjay Pereira. People cannot afford to pay that much bribe. In addition posts are filled up according to Political patronage of the ministers and local people who are forced to stop cultivation stands no chance. Total corruption has reigned in.

Goa University, by sheer fact of locating its premises on tribal people’s land, depriving their livelihood, now has responsibility towards these villages. Goa University has to play pro-active role in defending villages of Cacra, Nauxim, Odxel in securing safety to fishing livelihood. Goa University with its so many departments can very easily put this aspect on priority. Vice-Chancellor Varun Sahni has to take important decisions in this regard. Letter from BMM is pending in his office without attention and action. This is not a good sign at all.

Vice-Chancellor of Goa University has to put the issue of various threats faced by fishing communities in Zuari river on priority. This is because fishing is one of the major occupations in Goa more particularly of People that University deprived them of their cultivation land (Nauxim, Cacra, Odxel).  He needs to call the meeting of all the heads of department and all the Principals of affiliated Colleges in Goa and place this issue on the agenda for action to protect fisheries of Goa: livelihood of the fishermen as well as marine ecology of our rivers and Arabian Sea too. Intellectuals cannot shy away from their responsibility. Goa International Centre also occupies tribal land and its leadership too must take up responsibility.

Every month they must visit fishing villages speaking out and engage themselves in empathetic dialogue and let initiatives flow on fishing. Currently in Zuari sewage from various hotels is flowing in Zuari river polluting river, plastic has smoothed river surface making fishing difficult, water sports is threatening fishers, Vedanta barges wants fishers stop fishing in the middle of the river, Coal transportation, damage caused by mining barges, declaration of Goa’s six rivers as National Waterways without public consultations, marinas in Zuari, trawlers and purse seine  boats are causing havoc with their illegal, eco-hostile fishing practices.

BMM Continues efforts at engaging with these fishing villages mentioned above as well as decision makers at Fisheries department has resulted in setting up of Fisheries Defense Study Cell at the Directorate of Fisheries. The engagement has also resulted in commissioning of scientific study in Zuari river “impact of water sports on fishing and marine ecology” with involvement of scientists from various research institutions in based in Goa.

The lesson learned: If one is ready to engage with suffering fishers and fisheries department, initiatives flow.

There are so many social scientist and natural scientists located at Goa University why are they not involved in dialogue with fishermen from Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel? What prevents them from doing so? Similarly there are so may students study at Goa University campus doing their Masters and Doctorates, why don’t they visit these villages and show empathy with fishing communities? Currently fishing communities of Goa are in the frontline of defense of Goa’s rivers and Arabian Sea from various intruding threats. Intellectual has to play back up supporting role to help them succeed in their efforts to regenerate ecology, secure livelihoods.

There are several schools located on the banks of rivers, they need to take responsibility and play active role in regenerating ecology and protecting of fish breeding sites.

Sebastiao Rodrigues

Time for Three in Goa Fisheries Department to resign!

There has been huge awareness of threat to health caused by consumption of fish laced with Chemicals like Formalin in particular. This is an extremely good sign that fish consumers are awake and asking questions. However there is a disturbing trend too when it comes to issue of safety of fisheries as well as protection of fish habitats in Goa's waters. It is observed that consumers do not have adequate information and therefore concern on these issues to the extend needed. There is strategic disconnect between fishers and fish consumers. 

Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit currently also involved is defending fishing habitats in Zuari river in collaboration with local fishers for the past four years after invitation from fishing communities from Odxel, Cacra, Nauxim, Bambolim and Siridao with principle of Empathetic Engagement . Some of the major challenges that needs urgent public attention are listed below.

Illegal Trawling and illegal purse seine fishing deserves focus here. Fishers from the above listed villages on November 15, 2017 were promised 24 hour patrolling by the Goa Fisheries Minister Vinoda Palyenkar and Agriculture Minister Vijay Sardessai in presence of Talegao MLA Jenifer Montserrat at Goa Legislative Assembly. Assurance was also given to increase the fine for illegal fishing by trawlers and purse seine boats from Rs.100/- to Rs.50,000/-. However till date this assurance remains unfulfilled. 

In the meanwhile aggression on Zuari river is as intense as ever as evident from the community monitoring records maintained by the Siridao-Odxel coastal fishers. On 18/08/2018 there were 10 trawlers at 8.00 pm carrying on illegal fishing in Zuari. Three of them very close to Siridao Coast. On 23/08/2018 five trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at 6.00 am. On 24/08/2018 around 40 mini purse seine boats carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at 6.00 am and four trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at 8.00 am.

It has been observed by fishing communities of this coast that when telephone calls are made to fisheries department no action is initiated. On the contrary mobile numbers with names of complaining fishers are shared with the offending trawlers and purse seine boat owners who in turn call up fishermen in Zuari who complain and threaten. Due to this flop show at Goa Fisheries Department control room and negligence in installing 24 hours patrolling of Zuari river there is likely situation of law and order problem. Coastal Police too has responsibility to stop illegal fishing but they too are relaxed about it for the reasons best known to them.

The consequence of this situation is severe. Goa's own marine biologist Aaron Lobo has scientifically demonstrated the huge damage that trawlers cause while fishing. He has compared it to the massive razing of forest on land above water. Because of this damage fishermen in Goa and other parts of India organised themselves and late Mathany Saldanha played pivotal role towards this. Purse seine nets catches tiny fish life and threat of fish depletion is severe. By law both trawling and purse seine nets are are banned within five kilometers from the shore.

Fishers in Fisheries department are well aware of the various problems faced by these coastal communities. In case any public member wants evidence then it can be procured by filing RTI application at Fisheries department seeking all the letters received from Bharat Mukti Morcha from 2014 to 2018.

The only serious officer of Goa administration who wanted to help these communities is Govind Jaiswal, IAS who was Secretary (Fisheries) as well as Director. Because of his helpful approach he has been replaced by new Secretary Daulat Hawaldar, IAS. (This decision is taken under pressure from corporate interests linked to waters sports after Jaiswal took up steps initiate study on effects of water sports on fishing and marine ecology). Looking at the daily violations in Zauri river it can be safely concluded that Mr. Halwaldar along with the Director V. Arlekar are incompetent, inefficient and irresponsible as fisheries administration in has witnessed colossal collapse. 

On August 14, 2018 these fishermen were called to the Fisheries Department for a meeting with Fisheries Minister Vinoda Palyenkar, Secretary (Fisheries) Daulat Hawladar, Director of Fisheries Vinesh Arlekar, Deputy Director Smita Muzumdar, Deputy Director C. Velip and Superintendent of Fisheries Chandresh. After listening to the problems expressed by fishers delegation led by Sanjay Pereira Secretary (Fisheries) Daulat Hawaldar assured to make a difference, a break from past. 

Alas! his promise now has proved to be an empty one. Minister of Fisheries Vinoda Palyenkar has lost his daring bearing that his has displayed at the start of his innings as minister and now is merely behaves as a caged rat of the illegal fishing mafia. His performance record that raised hope is turning into trigger of despair. We hardly need such behavior from a minister in Goa. He has facilitated diversion of Mhadei to vested interest in Karnataka in his capacity as Water Resources Minister by planned mismanagement at Mhadei Tribunal, and sold Zuari to illegal trawlers and illegal purse seiners. Situation in Zuari has degraded to the same level as during tenure of Dr. Shamila Monteiro who was removed from her post as director of fisheries. Now all the top leadership of Fisheries department must be thrown out. This includes Vinoda Palyenkar the Minister of Fisheries, Daulat Hawaldar, Secretary (Fisheries) and Director Vinesh Arlekar. All of them are proved irresponsible. Time for all three to resign and go as there is total collapse of administration on Zuari river.

Sebastiao Rodrigues

Call up Goa Fisheries Minister now!

Call up the Goa Fisheries Minister Vinoda Palyenkar on his mobile 9158252727 and ask him to act now to protect fisheries in Zuari and stop trawlers and purse seine boats from carrying on illegal fishing. Tell him enough is enough. On May 15, 2018 at 6.40 pm two trawlers are illegally fishing in Zuari river. 

According to reports received one mini purse seine boat bearing name Fatima with registration number 1614 cut and destroyed fishing nets of local fisherman from Odxel at Odxel coast in Zuari river. The incident occurred on May 12, 2018 between 6.30 am to 7.30 am when fisherman was fishing river. Purse seine nets are banned in rivers and within 5 kms distance from the coast. However there are frequent violations and fisheries department and coastal police are duty bound to crack down on the same. One regular notorious violator noticed is boat “Netra” registered with Goa Fisheries department.

Illegal fishing by trawlers and purse seine boats in Zuari River and call to involve students

Date: 24^th April 2018

To,

The Speaker,

Goa Legislative Assembly,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Minister of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Secretary (Fisheries),

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Director of Fisheries,

Panjim, Goa,

To,

The Superintendent of Police (Coastal Security), Police Headquarters,

Panjim, Goa

To,

The Deputy Superintendent of Police (Coastal Security), Ribandar, Goa

To,

The Police Inspector,

Agassaim Police Station,

Agassaim, Goa

To,

The Leader of the Opposition,

Goa Legislative Assembly,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

MLA,

St. Andre
Constituency

To,

MLA,

Santa Cruz Constituency

To,

MLA,

Talegao Constituency,

Subject: Illegal fishing by trawlers and purse seine boats in Zuari River and call to involve students

Madam/ Sir,

In spite of our repeated intimation to your office illegal fishing by trawlers in Zuari River continues. Here are latest trawler details: Daily between 8.30 pm to 4.00 am in the night time 4 to 5 trawlers regularly carry on illegal fishing. Then on last Sunday 22/04/2018 between 4 to 5 trawlers carried on illegal fishing during day time twice, in the morning at 8.30 am and in the night at 9.50 pm. Trawler “Netra” is one of the repeat offenders and few trawlers are without latest registration numbers from Department of Fisheries.

Here we share latest mini purse seine details: One boat carries on daily illegal fishing Zuari using banned purse seine fishing net from 5.30 am to 9.00 am and 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

We have noted that there is nil co-ordination between Coastal Security Police and Fisheries department and as a result illegal fishing which is also ecologically dangerous is thriving in Zuari river. You are requested to pay immediate attention to this problem and solve it. Your neglect may lead to situation going out of control and total collapse of law and order as well as collapse of fisheries administration in Zuari as it was on 30/03/2018 when 35 mini purse seine boats carried on illegal fishing without any hindrance from the authorities which we have already informed to Fisheries department as well as to Coastal Police via our letter dated 09^th April 2018. 

So you are requested to take identify and penalize offender trawlers and mini purse seine boats as well as take punitive action against responsible officers.

We further request you to involve students and faculty of Goa University and other educational institutions such as BITS Pilani Goa Campus, Collages, Higher Secondary schools etc in tackling this problem as Coastal Security Police as well as Fisheries department has proved to be insufficient and inefficient. We suggest the following pedagogy to engage with Students of above cited institutions:

Ø Explain nature of Zuari River with rich fish diversity back by existing studies

Ø Food Security provided by Zuari river to fishermen and fish consumers human and non-human in Goa

Ø Introduction to sustainable, ecological and ethical fishing practices such as Gillnet fishing, Pagel, Stakes, Rampon etc and general threats to it.

Ø Prevalent law regulating fishing in Goa involving Directorate of Fisheries and Coastal Security Police

Ø Success and Failures of Directorate of Fisheries and Coastal Security Police in tackling illegal fishing by Trawlers and Mini-purse seine boats in Zuari river

Ø Role of Students, Teaching Faculty and Public in tackling illegal fishing in Zuari in the face of repeated failures of Fisheries department and Coastal Security Police – Group discussions

Ø For more details on dynamics of Zuari river fishing refer to field reports and letters at folder “Fishing” at our  blog www.bharatmukti.blogspot.in

Ø Collation generated ideas and Publication of Reports by Department of Fisheries and Coastal Security jointly.

Ø From the Academic Year 2018-2019 launch long term collaboration of Directorate of Fisheries, Coastal Security Police and Education Institutions in Goa to protect and defend River Zuari ecology from illegal fishing.

Should you need our assistance then we will be glad to do so in any possible way for the sake of River Zuari, its ecology and sustainable and ethical fishing practices in Goa.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State

Rohidas Andrade

Convenor, Bambolim Unit

Sanjay Pereira

Convenor, Cacra Unit

Socorro Braganza

Convenor, Siridao Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convenor, Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convenor, Nauxim Unit

Ms. Kalpana Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Anthony Cardozo

Convenor, Curca Unit

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Siridao Unit

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Honu Divkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Nauxim Unit

Yeshwant Shirvoikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Manguesh Sawant

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Amir Mardolkar

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Francis Coelho

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Jaya Kuttikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Jonu Shirvoikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ms. Sheila D’mello

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ashok Kukalkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ganashyam Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Uttam Martins

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Rohit Hadkonkar

Co-convenor, Bambolim Unit

Sanju Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Chandranath Rosario

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Vijay Sawant

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ragunath Sautodkar

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Mahadev Andre Rosario

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Laxman Mangueshkar

Co-convenor, Siridao Unit

Copy to:

1.     The Vice-Chancellor,

Goa University, Taleigao, Goa

2.     Director,

BITS Pilani Goa Campus, Zuarinagar, Goa

3.     Principal,

Fr. Agnel College of Arts and Commerce, Pillar, Goa

4.     Principal

Fr. Agnelo Higher Secondary School, Pillar, Goa

5.     Principal

Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Panjim, Goa

6.     Principal

Dempo College of Commerce, Panjim, Goa

7.     Principal,

St. Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim, Goa

8.     St. Joseph Vaz Institute of Education,

Cortalim, Goa

9.     Principal,

MES College, Vasco, Goa

10.                         Principal,

Don Bosco College, Panjim

11.                         Principal,

Don Bosco Higher Secondary, Panjim

12.                         Principal,

Santa Cruz Higher Secondary School, Santa Cruz

13.                         Principal,

Nirmala Institute of Education, Panjim, Goa

14.                         Principal,

Our Lady of Rosary Higher Secondary School, Dona Paula

15.                         Principal,

St. Andrews Higher Secondary School, Vasco