Objections to finalization of Coastal Management Plan without preparing comprehensive plan for fishermen communities

 ALL GOA SMALL SCALE RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES UNION 

190, Nauxi, Bambolim, Tiswadi, Goa. 403 206 Mobile: 8805074643 

______________________________________

Date: 14/07/2021 

To, 

The Member Secretary,

Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority,

Panjim, Goa

Email: goacoastalzone@gmail.com

Subject: Objections to finalization of Coastal Management Plan for Goa without prepararing comprehensive plan for fishermen communities

Sir, 

We call upon your office to let you know that the Public Hearing on draft Coastal Management Plan held at your behest in North as well as South Goa on July 08, 2021 was without enforcing the Order no. GCZMA/GEN/MISC/13-14/Part VI/1445 issued by department of Environment and Climate change dated 04/03/2021 calling for comprehensive plan for fishermen community living in CRZ area in collaboration with Goa Fisheries Department. Non-implimentation of this order was confirmed to us by the Director of Fisheries department as no required survey was carried on northern bank of Zuari river nor any banks of Mandovi River due to prevailing restrictions due to Covid-19 pandemic. 

As a result of non-enforcement of the above order several issues pertaining to fishing communities all over Goa has remained without being attended to for the inclusion in the Coastal Management Plan for Goa. We wish to list out the following points for inclusion in the Coastal Management Plan: 

1. All the residential houses and fish landing sites of the fishing communities living within CRZ has remained without being surveyed and included in the draft Coastal Management Plan. This is true across Goa like Vitogem and Sinquerim in Diwar Island, Ribandar, Vanxim (Capao), Cacra, Odxel, Nauxim, Bambolim, Siridao, Marvel, Caranzalem, Goltim-Navelim, Naroa- Sao Mathias etc. 

2. The inputs provided by the Coastal communities to your office through maps are not included in the draft plan. It resembles as if enemies of Goa's Coastal people has prepared this drafy report. 

3. More dangerously several Coastal areas,  beaches, rivers, riparian lands are shown as Port Limits. This is true in case of rivers Sal, Mandovi and Zuari too. These rivers - heavily used for fishing by small scale fishing communities - were declared as National Waterways by Government of India without consulting fishing communities of Goa thereby making complete and thorough mockery of Democracy in India. We are completely opposed to demarcation of Goa's rivers and beaches, Coastal lands and riparian lands as Port Limits. If Port namely Murmagao Port Trust (MPT) cannot function in its existing limits in Vasco then et it fold up its operations and return its assets to people of Goa rather than turning itself into monstrous bully that intent to swallow large portions of  Coastal Goa and its rivers. Aggression over Goa by India's Ministry of Shipping, Ports and National Waterways that controls MPT must stop. Your office claims to have taken decision to drop Port Limits but they are still showing on her Maps of draft Coastal Management Plan. 

4. Draft Goa Coastal Management Plan does not adequately mark fish breeding sites. Zuari as well as Mandovi rivers are fish breeding sites and has to be declared as such. 

5. Plan to safeguard fish breeding sites in Goa must also be incorporated in Coastal Management Plan. Plan must include measures to eliminate dumping of plastic garbage in rivers, reviving and rejuvenating fish breeding sites that has suffered due to political decisions to locate off shore casinos in Mandovi River,  stop speedboats and yachts in Mandovi River at Diwar Island introduced  by cutting down Mangroves and digging riverbed destroying rich marine spaces known for big black and white Shells (Khube) as well as small Shells (Khubli) for the benefit of private company named Champions Island for its clandestine activities, Demolishing of all the concrete bunds in Diwar - as they leak and disrupt fish breeding process specially of the crabs - and replacing them with traditional mud bunds of locking system for tidal waters that facilitates fish breeding as crabs use bund mud for breeding purposes, plan must also demarcated spaces for fishing practices like Footauni, Hari, Gillnets, Stakes etc. 

6. In this regard People of Vitogem and Sinquerim which are fishing communities wards on Divar Island had already made their representation to Director of Fisheries in a letter dated 21/10/2020 given entry to the Fisheries department on 22/10/2020. Fisheries department was to forward it to your office. 

7. Comprehensive Plan for fishermen communities initiated by Director of Environment and Climate Change must be completed, shared with Coastal fishing communities for ground truthing and then synchronized with Goa Coastal Management Plan before finalization. 

We request you to include all the above points in Coastal Management Plan for Goa. 

We also wish to let you know that in case you failed to include the above points then we shall be constrainted to reject the Coastal Management Plan itself. 

Thanking you, 

Yours sincerely,

Roque Menezes 

President 

Copy to: 

1. Director, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Panjim, Goa 

2. Director, Department of Fisheries, Panjim, Goa 

3. Convenor, National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers 

Objections to two Public Hearings on Coastal Management Plan for July 08, 2021

 ALL GOA SMALL SCALE RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES UNION 

190, Nauxi, Bambolim, Tiswadi, Goa. 403 206 Mobile: 8805074643 

______________________________________

Date: 02/07/2021 

To, 

The Member Secretary,

Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority,

Panjim, Goa

Email: goacoastalzone@gmail.com

Subject: Objections to two Public Hearings fixed for July 08, 2021 on Coastal Management Plan.

Sir, 

We call upon your office to let you know that certain conditions laid in your notification reference GCZMA/CZMP-2011/20-21/01/201 dated 07/06/2021 are highly objectionable.  We list them out as under: 

1. Time limit slotted to per speaker of 15 minutes is not sufficient. Each speaker must be given at least one hour to complete their submissions. No speaker must be pressurized to hurry. 

2. Forfeiting of the time slot in case speaker is not able to at fixed slot. We object this process and hold strong that those who are not able to speak at the fixed slot must be accommodated later on. 

3. Forbidding of political criticism by the speakers is highly objectionable. We strongly hold that your above referred notification is in violation of fundamental right of Freedom of Speech and expression in the Constitution of India enshrined under Article 19. We hold that preparation of Coastal Zone Management Plan is primary a political process masked as technical. We call upon you to revoke this condition immediately and issue fresh notification allowing political criticism. Otherwise public participation is a futile exercise and we consider it assault on Constitution of India. 

4. Public Hearing must not go on after 7.00 pm. Your notification that Public Hearing to continue till completion of the process is objectionable. We object continuation of Public Hearing beyond 7.00 pm. If speakers are remaining then Public Hearing must be resumed next working day. 

5. Spot entries upto 2.00 pm are objectionable as it creates undue pressure. We strongly object and advise you to drop this condition and allow spot entries throughout the day. 

6. The above notification to hold Public Hearing is issued without enforcing the Order no. GCZMA/GEN/MISC/13-14/Part VI/1445 issued by department of Environment and Climate change dated 04/03/2021 calling for comprehensive plan for fishermen community living in CRZ area. Non-imimentation of this order was confirmed to us as no required survey was carried on northern bank of Zuari river. Our inquiries has revealed that survey was not undertaken due to prevailing restrictions due to Covid-19 pandemic. We request your office to report this situation to the National Green Tribunal and get the Public Hearing deferred till the referred survey is conducted and report made available in public domain. 

Overall we conclude that all the above mentioned processes included for Public Hearing are meant to exclude Public being heard. The consequences of this style of operation is satanic, cruel, perverse work of crooks that will have short term as well long term unpredictable negative effects for which your office will be held accountable and responsible. 

We advise you to pay serious attention to the above points and call off both the Public Hearings fixed for July 08, 2021 in North as well as South Goa. 

Thanking you, 

Yours sincerely,

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary

Copy to: 

1. Director, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Panjim, Goa 

2. Director, Department of Fisheries, Panjim, Goa 

3. Collector, North Goa, Panjim, Goa 

4. Collector, South Goa, Margao, Goa

Monsoon Fishing ban violations by trawlers

 June 25, 2021

To,

Director,

Department of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Monsoon Fishing ban violations by trawlers

Madam,

It has come to our attention that daily trawlers are carrying on illegal fishing in Zuari river during night time due to the negligence of your office in Patrolling.

On June 23, 2021 night one trawler got entangled with underwater sunk ship while trawling at night time in Zuari river. Four other trawlers that were operating from Vasco were stranded in rescue operation to free the entangled trawler. Next day June 24, 2021 this incident was shared by audio on WhatsApp by former vice-president of Old Cross Fishing Co-operative society at Kharewada Prem Dabolkar under Article 19 of the Constitution of India: Right to Freedom of Speech and expression.

However it has come to attention that one trawler owner Tulsidas Kukalkar who owns 'Netra' trawler and notorious record holder for illegal fishing damaged electricity and water connection of Prem Dhabolkar at Vasco. We had complained to your office about Tulsidas Kukalkar' illegal trawling in Zuari river in the past but there is no action from your office that we know of.

We want to convey to you that because of inaction from your office Fisheries in Goa are getting criminal fall outs.

With hope that you will act,

Yours sincerely,

Roque Menezes

President

All Goa smalll scale Resoonsible Fisheries Union

190, Nauxim, Bambolim, Goa.

For media report on this subject click here.

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Story of Fisherman who is struggling to prove cyclone

 Click here for links to this story from Cacra on the banks of Zuari river.

Objections to registration of purse seine fishing nets and registration of cannoes above 38 ft.

 ALL GOA SMALL SCALE RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES UNION

190, Nauxi, Bambolim, Tiswadi, Goa. 403 206 

______________________________________

Date: 24/05/2021

To,

The Director,

Department of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Objections to registration of purse seine fishing nets and registration of canoes above 38 ft

Madam,

It has come to our attention that your office is planning to register purse seine fishing net and above 38 ft canoes through Supritendent of Fisheries letter no. DF/ENF/GRE-/2021-22/503 dated 05/05/2021.

Your office is petitioned several times by different groups such as Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit from 2014 over the issue of illegal fishing in Zuari river. It has been our experience that inspite of purse seine fishing nets being outlawed within 5 kms from the shore they continues doing so without fear and respect for law in canoes below 38 ft. Your office as well as coastal security police has failed to enforce law and as a result violations since 2014 are rampant.

Your office has poor record of enforcement in cases of violations by existing fleet of canoes below 38 ft using purse seine fishing nets is not only poor but in collaboration with purse seiners and coastal security police has promoted criminal litigations against those like Sanjay Pereira who has been consistently communicating to your office about the prevailing illegalities in Zuari river by purse seine fishing boats. Your office has supported false criminal cases by delegating your Fisheries officials as witnesses at Judicial Magistrate Senior devision at Vasco and Court of Deputy Collector, Vasco. Fisheries Minister Philip Neri Rodrigues is sleeping over the file to withdraw these criminal cases from the time he too charge as Fisheries Minister few years ago.

We object on both counts, namely increasing the size of canoes exceeding 38 ft as well permitting use of purse seine fishing nets. Their high powered intrusions towards illegal fishing within 5 kms from the coast will deplete Fisheries as well as disrupt livelihood systems of traditional fishing communities indulging in small Scale Fisheries through passive fishing gears such as gill nets predominantly used in Zuari river. Fisheries department as well as Coastal Security Police lacks adequate number patrol boats and even existing ones cannot be maintained as evident from constant breakdowns. Fisheries department has just one patrol boat for the entire State of Goa without 24×7 service. Coastal Security Police has just two patrol boats that are reported in non-working conditions on several occasions by Coastal Security Police station at Harbour, Vasco. Checking illegal fishing by purse seine fishers has not surfaced as yet as a priority of Fisheries department as well ad Coastal security police. Purse seiners has carried on illegal fishing even during monsoon fishing ban period. The foundation of purse seine fishing is greed and violence. 

Purse seine fishing is proved and known to cause remarkable depletion of fish life due to its exploitative nature of fishing dealing body blow to marine ecology as several non-target species are trapped as by-catch facilitated by technology such as fish finders on board.

Late Mathany Saldanha, the champion defender of marine ecology as well small scale Fisheries in India who played key role in formation of GRE always opposed purse seine fishers due to their destructive role particularly towards traditional fishermen who are engaged in small Scale Fishery. We fail to understand as to how how GRE that late Mathany Saldanha founded is championing the cause of purse seine fishers in Goa as evident from the above quoted reference number of the Superitendent of Fisheries letter dated 05/05/2021. This is a terrible betrayal of the small Scale Fisheries in Goa.

We oppose the above referred proposal of the Department of Fisheries to register canoes above 38 ft as well as permissions for purse seine fishing nets as their impact will be felt by small scale fishers within 5 kms from the coast due to Coastal Security Police and Department of Fisheries constantly collides with those engaging in illegal fishing in Zuari river. Best example that can be cited is that of Tulsidas Kukalkar who daily with his fleet of trawlers including infamous "Netra" is carrying on daily illegal fishing in Zuari between 7.30 pm to 3.00 am.

Therefore we conclude that your move to permit canoes above 38 ft and purse seine fishing nets is not only detrimental to the interest of the small scale fishers in Goa but is also harmful for marine ecology with its large by-catch of non-target species -even tiny in size - that is either discarded as dead fish waste or used as fertilizer.

You are hereby advised to refrain from permitting canoes above 38 ft and purse Seine fishing nets. You must instead identify and discourage use of purse seine fishing nets. We have learned that size of canoes are to be increased upto 70 ft fitted with purse seine fishing nets. Just imagine how quickly such a decision will destroy not only marine Fisheries but also intensify illegal fishing within 5 kms thereby causing rapid destruction of small scale fisheries. 

By the way who gave your office and GRE this destructive idea? It is symptom of intellectual bankruptcy.  Beware! We are opposed to your plan for above cited reasons and will continue to speak up and articulate in defence of fisheries sustainability in the face of predatory purse Seiners. 

You are therefore advised to reconsider your plans and then communicate to all the concerned before arriving at the disastrous decision to increase the size of canoes and legalization of purse seine fishing.

Instead of increasing the size of existing canoes allow more smaller canoes with gill nets whose applications are pending and kept on hold citing the Scientific reasons of sustainability of Fisheries. How does sustainability of marine ecology is facilitated by increasing the size of canoe to above 38 ft and by permitting purse seine fishing nets? What are the studies your office has received from GRE to suggest such a sinister plans? What horse power engine will be fitted to the canoes above 38 ft ranging upto 70 ft? Fish is great source of nutrition to society, should you take decision that will push Goa's fisheries towards dead path? It will be awful if you commit such a blunder.

Without regrets, we are opposed to increasing size of existing canoes above 38 ft and promotion of purse seine fishing nets by your office.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Roque Menezes

President

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary 

BMM condemns Police violence on Melaulim villagers

Pramod Sawant step down as Chief Minister of Goa

Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM), Goa Unit strongly condemn second consecutive day police terror inflicted on Melaulim villagers in Sattari Taluka. On second day yesterday January 06, 2021 over 350 police personnel descended in the village along with Valpoi Police Inspector, Mamlatdar and Deputy Collector to overpower the psychological will power by physically threatening them. As per media reports Police used tear gas and Lathi charged the villagers after walking over women's bodies (Chests and legs) as they were lying on ground to protect themselves from the impact of Lathi charge. Several villagers as well as policemen and policewomen were injured during the day in the forest village.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is being sort to set up in the village in the bossom of western Ghats forest. Villagers are in defence of the forest while the State government under direction from Central government pushing for deforestation and urbanisation through setting up of IIT campus.

BMM stands in support of the villagers for their wisdom and commitment to defend Western Ghats forest is far more superior to any IIT faculty in India. BMM further condemns arrogant assertion of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during the day that State will book the villagers under criminal provisions for Attempt to Murder police. In the beginning the matter is educational involving IIT and police has no role to play in the matter. It appears from the day's proceedings that governance is being carried on through violence and terror on people as well as western Ghats ecology. Chief Minister's  comments are evidence to this point. First the police force is abused. Now, Indian Penal Code is abused. The way people were treated today were like cattle, ruthless and inhuman ways by police at the orders of their political masters. Goa government is not satisfied with democratic mechanisms to deal with conflict resolutions is rapidly turning into bloodthirsty aiming at violence of the type that martyred Nilesh Naik during Nylon 6,6 agitation of 1995.

Pramod Sawant should be ashamed of deploying the police at Melaulim village. It looks that he has lost all his stamina to imbibe with the Values of the Constitution of India. The way he is conducting himself it looks very intense that he has no values for human beings. The people of Melaulim village are our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers etc. PI Ekoskar has shown today that he is born motherless (no one knows who is his mother). He must apologize for walking over the ladies chests and legs. And what Pramod Sawant says about attempt to murder police personnel is highly manipulative act even to think so by the CM of Goa. This CM has experience to abuse governance in the State of Goa in order to inflict harm to people as well as ecology of Goa as reflected in several instances, latest being Melaulim. There are more personalities from within Goa who are well equipped to give us good governance. We hereby call upon Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to resign.

When human beings are not valued and respected by the one occupying position of Chief Minister he has no right to continue in the office.

Viswajit Rane is playing hide-n-seek game inspite of being MLA of the said village (Melaulim). He should have stood in solidarity as representative of the people but he has betrayed the people and is enforcing inhuman behavior to attack the people by deploying police. He has Portfolio as Health Minister of Goa but here for the villagers he is perceived as land grabbing mafia. After grabbing so much land -acres and acres- he is still not satisfied. It looks as Goa Government has some vested interest in locating IIT in Melaulim, Sattari against the wishes of the villagers. 

India's central government has its eyes on beautiful land of Goa to set up IIT on 10 lakh square meters of land in Melaulim village that too by causing deforestation of western Ghats. People of Goa will stand united to see that Melaulim village is protected from such manipulators.

Maggie Silveira

President

07:01:2021

01:25 am

BMM condemns Police abuse to terrorise Melaulim villagers

 Calls for Chief Minister's resignation

Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM), Goa Unit strongly condemns repeated use of police force to suppress democratic protests in the State of Goa. People are guaranteed Freedom under the Constitution of India and repeated use of police to settle political scores is a mockery of democratic polity in the State of Goa. Latest use of police personnel numbering to over 550 in Melaulim village in Sattari on Januari 05, 2021 gave impression of razing war between the State and the Police.

If people of Melaulim doesn't want to part with their land admeasuring 10 lakh square meters to set up Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) it cannot be forced upon by deploying police force. IIT has been denied land by people in two earlier instances. People in Goa have fundamental right to reject whatever they consider as undesirable and moreover a scam. Educational Institutions like IIT has to set up by consulting the affected people and under no circumstances it can be bulldozed through police force. BMM calls upon the Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane to listen to the voice of Melaulim People and strike out the IIT like it was done on earlier two occasions.

BMM expresses support and solidarity with the people of Melaulim and calls upon Government of Goa to stop terrorizing people by use of Police and violence. 

The police are meant to maintain law and order and this is what their services are. We people of Goa knows every detail of work carried on by the corporates which they do by force. The democracy tells us to do what is right and truthful and we as Goans will stand by the People of Goa anywhere such disruptions of law and order are carried on by Police under political directions. BMM condemns the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and calls upon him to resign as he is not meant and fit to serve the people of Goa anymore. Vishwajit Rane should protect Goa as a Goan. Such menaces and disasters will not be tolerated in Goa any more. Be aware Mr. Chief Minister that where unity prevails success flows like a river. This is what Goans are known for. BMM strongly opposes developments which are against People of Goa.

Maggie Silveira

President

06:01:2021

2:12 am

ReplyForward

Goa Declaration on World Fisheries Day 2020

All over the Globe November 21 is observed as World Fisheries Day. It was on this day in 1997 two of the fisher leaders of India - late Harekrishna Debnath and late Fr. Thomas Kochery - convened international meeting of the fisher leaders in various countries in the World at New Delhi and formed World organisation of fishers. It was then decided to mark  November 21 as World Fisheries Day. Ever since popularity of this day has increased many folds with increased focused organisation of programs in various countries involving small scale fishers who are also traditional fishers. Later the United Nations Organisations (UNO) too accepted and declared November 21 as World Fisheries Day. Several Nation-States then began to observe this day as World Fisheries Day.

Goa has been very important place known for intensity of the fishing community movement from the 1970s onwards combating trawlers. We acknowledge tremendous historical contribution from late Mathany Saldanha and others to stand up for fishers and organisationally defend fishing community interest through consistency over long period of time for over four decades. 

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) affiliated to National Platform of small scale fish workers (NPSSFW) observed World Fisheries Day with reflective sessions on fishing related issues in Goa. 

All the delegates expressed on the subject of fishing and various problems confronting Fisheries.

The inputs of World Fisheries Day Celebrations at Nauxim, Goa are added to this declaration to reflect macro scenario of Fisheries in Goa from fishers point of view.

1. Marina proposed at Nauxim is disastrous for fisheries activities and we firmly oppose the same. Fishing in Zuari river will be stopped and the livelihood options of the fishing communities will come under severe threat. MPT Jurisdiction over Zuari river must be revoked. India's Ministry of Shipping has been aggressive in destroying Goa's fisheries and Goa government is silent on this. We call upon massive public engagement at all levels to protect and promote sustainability in Goa's fishery.

2. We are duty bounty to protect Goa and its ecology from all the vested interests trying to destroy.  We pledge to exercise our duty as bestowed on us by God, by SSF guideline, by Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and by Constitution of India Aticle 51-A(g). We call for setting up of Fisheries defence study group involving fishing communities, civil society and incivil society towards Stewardship of rivers and Arabian Sea. Civil society is composed of those who claim that the earth belong to them and they have rights. Incivil society is composed of those who claim that they belong to earth and they have duty of Stewardship given by God the creator.

3. Zuari river is depository of unique "Mendio" which is also Goa cultural heritage beside ecologically important specie. Zuari river being fish breeding site we pledge to defend it along with all other rivers and Arabian Sea coast.

4. Overfishing has caused depletion of fish stock in various parts of the world. We pledge to actively oppose use of destructive fishing gears such as trawling and purse seine fishing nets in legally demarcated zones and critically examine beyond.

5. We strongly oppose sagarmala project for its catastrophic potential for Fisheries in Goa. Goa's six rivers - Chapora, Moira/Mapusa, Mandovi, Cumbharjua, Zuari and Sal -are declared as National Waterways without consulting fishing communities in Goa. 

6. Marmugao Port Trust (MPT) is fraudulently brought under Major Ports Act claiming authority over 50% of Goa's coastline without consulting fishing communities and other people of Goa.

7. MPT has reclaimed 5,70,000 square meters of Zuari river through an illegal act to facilitate expansion of berthing at MPT. We pledge to actively oppose Coal lobby, Mining lobby, Tourism lobby, Shipping lobby and Gambling lobby to disrupt Goa's fisheries that is a State subject under Constitution of India. We call upon State government to actively defend Goa's fishing interests from Central government projects detrimental to Fisheries in Goa. These projects includes Marinas, Declaration of Goa's rivers as National Waterways, Dredging of rivers, MPT under Major Ports Act, Double Tracking of railways to handle coal at MPT, Port expansion, Jetty construction plans and destruction of Western Ghats forest at Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary by chopping down over one lakh trees.

8. We call upon the Fisheries department to initiate dialogue with fishing communities under pressure from various lobbies and even from the Fisheries department support to vested interests and harassing fishers with regard to subsidies withheld from 2017. We call upon Fisheries department to stop current practices of corruption that has allowed water sports by Aqua Sail to disrupt fishing activities in Zuari river due political pressures. 

9.  We call upon the students and educational institutions to interact with fishing communities in Goa in order to understand interconnections and build alliances for generating sensitivity and empathy to defend Goa's fisheries. Intra institutional and inter-institurional collaborations must be fostered.

10. We note with concern general apathy towards challenges faced by fishing communities from consumers of fish. We call upon alliance of strategy between fish consumers and fishing communities for food security and sustainability. 

11. We understand prevailing gender gap between Fishermen and Fisherwomen. While men take active part in political discussions women are absent from decision making. This is particularly so in case of women who sell fish and are known as fish vendors. Shortage in efforts to form and strength organisation of women fish workers must be addressed and for this we seek collaboration. 

12. We pledge to reach out to all the fishing communities in Goa and initiate dialogue with aim towards expanding defense network for Fisheries and our Union. 

13. We note with concern that sewage and garbage from numerous outlets is finding it's way in the rivers and then into Arabian Sea. This has affected marine life as well as quality of fish catch. Further it is further alarming to note the presence of coal inside river and contents like mercury finding it's way into oysters and other bivalves. This is very disturbing trend and coal handling at MPT must be stopped to avoid pollution of rivers in Goa. We call for urgent public scrutiny on the aspect of health of rivers and Arabian Sea under threat from MPT as well as other sources.

14. We call upon institutions of higher learning to make sufficient budgetary provisions to set up inter-disciplinary studies program in collaboration with fishing communities organizations to promote holistic system approaches to Fisheries.

15. We recognise that both legal as well as illegal sand mining on river beds in Goa is destructive to both fishing as well as marine ecology due to the kind of technology used for extraction. We call upon State government to stop sand mining and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to this effect. We also call upon fishermen involved in commercial sand mining to resist from doing so irrespective of reasons for doing so.

16. Catchment areas of rivers consisting of forest is part of riverine system. Any destructive intervention can cause detrimental impact on Fisheries. Protection of Forest is of prime importance. Plans to divert Mhadei river, Diversion of Forest Land for mining projects and destruction of forest in Mollem's Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary by central government negatively impact health of rivers and fisheries in Goa. We call for defence of forest as well as protection of people historically residing inside forest. We call for increase in collaboration between defenders of western Ghats forest and defenders of Fisheries to launch collaborative initiatives by moving out of their respective comfort zones as nature is intricately connected and sensitive. 

17. COVID-19 pandemic forced on people all over the world with intention to Illuminati enslavement agenda by destroying freedom has affected Goa too. Coastal areas are affected very badly. Fishing communities too were pushed under mask control and police control. Fishing was shut down and sale of fish was banned. Fisheries department used this pretext to deny subsidies to fishers. We call upon increased public focus on role of Illuninaties and Freemasons in pushing for destruction of Freedom by creating health emergency to rule the world. Pandemic is actually planned destruction of business of small scale initiatives including fishing activities as revealed from World at Risk Report of August 2019.

18. There is a felt need for a freedom think tank that will study and guide actions on Fisheries across actors and sectors. This is required to stand up to the complex challenges our our time that are marked by multiple attacks on Fisheries simultaneously.  Members of the think tank will require to share regularly with fishing communities in Goa and beyond.

19. We acknowledge that Agriculture and Fishing enjoyed symbiotic relationship on river banks in Goa. However over the past years bunds of the paddy fields are breached and saline water is let in to flood the paddy fields destroying agriculture for fishing purposes. We strongly disapprove such practices. Also daming of Mhadeo river in Sattari talukas has deprived spaces for Goa's unique temporary seasonal agriculture in flowing river known as Puran Sheti by local people. We advocate revival of Puran Sheti in Goa in fresh waters.

20. We note tremendous pressure on fishing communities due coast squeeze occurring due to rich lobbies buying coastal land and objecting fishing activities as in case of Siridao  where violence was deployed under to cut down fishing nets on Siridao beach. We note with alarm rising tension that led to burning down of fishing cannoe at Bambolim beach by corporate lobby under cover of the night.

21. Considering the way Government of India has enacted three anti-farmer laws in the Indian Parliament pushing farmers on roads is a clear indication that governance in India has taken over by invisible behind the scene Masonic operators. We call upon all fishers in Goa to not only support the farmers but also be perennially prepared to intensify the agitations with tact and sound strategy.

Above points are to be studied further and acted upon. Your co-operation is absolutely necessary. 

December 09, 2020

Call to scrap Nauxim Marina

 

Date: November 05, 2020

 

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union calls for scrapping of Marina project in Zuari river at Nauxim Goa on following grounds:

 

1. Lease deed of Kargwal constructions private Limited and Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) dated 12/10/2010 for approximately 1,00,000 square meters of water front of Zuari river for 30 years at the rate of Rs.4.87 per square meter per month is ill conceived from the beginning by vested interests to expel fishers from Zuari river and trigger food insecurity.

 

2. The lease agreement doesn't even acknowledge existence of fishing activities in Zuari river even though its permitted by Goa Fisheries department.

 

3. The lease agreement that is based upon the decisions of MPT that has ignored fishing activities in Zuari River as evident from the minutes. The sole criteria cited in the minutes to lease out Zuari River without consulting local traditional fishers is to generate incomes for MPT even if that requires expulsion of fishing activities.

 

4. The lease agreement that is based upon the Ports Land Policy prepared by Union Union ministry of Shipping is based on unjust principles that ignore fishing activities in Zuari river.

 

5. The Union government asserting its Jurisdiction over Zuari river and bestowing powers to MPT through a gazette notification of May 24, 2000 was done in an unethical manner without consulting with communities who are involved in fishing inside Zuari river for time immemorial. The consequences of such a nefarious act are the expulsion of fishing communities from Zuari River. All notifications of Central government extending MPT jurisdictions over Zuari River must be immediately withdrawn to avoid expulsion of fishers from Zuari River.

 

6. The ecological dangers of Marina to marine ecology are officially placed on record by Goa Bio-diversity Board in case of Yatch Haven marina by Chowgules inside Zuari River on Sancoale river front. Same report is relevant to Nauxim Marina too.

 

7. Fishing communities are opposing marina at Nauxim based on their wisdom accumulated over the centuries. As per their understanding Marina project at Nauxim will destroy both human habitat at river coast as well fish habitats in Zuari River. Fisheries will suffer to an unimaginable extent.

 

8. The understanding of fishers that it will destroy fisheries is confirmed by the impact quantification calculations presented in the EIA report prepared for Nauxim marina and put out in public domain by Goa State Pollution Control Board.

 

9. The joint reading of Tables 5.2 and 5.9 reveals that Fisheries in Zuari River will have permanent negative impact of the nature that is major, long-term and irreversible. Fisheries can be destroyed in this manner only if marine environments are destroyed and the cited tables do indicate major long term negative impacts to marine environment.

 

10. The laws and policies of India that provide powers to Ports overriding the existing fishing activities are based upon unethical foundations of injustice, inequality, impoverishment, livelihood destruction, damage to marine ecology and promoting food insecurity. These laws and policies needs to be done away with urgently.

 

11. Marina at Nauxim is combined assault on livelihood of fishing communities from several Coastal villages on Zuari river northern and southern bank and on food security of several people who are dependent upon fish as an ingredient of their food.

 

12. Ignoring all the above points on October 05, 2020 Kargwal Constructions private limited from Sion, Mumbai has filed Writ of Mandamus at the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court against State of Goa. Writ has called upon the Court to determine (a) whether Public Consultation is required as it is mandatory requirement by law, and (b) whether indefinite postponement of environmental public hearing in case of "Ahoy Marina" at Nauxim is unjust to the project proponent.

 

13. As last 10 years of public struggle has ensured non-enforcement of marina at Nauxim it is now urgent that the project be scrapped totally by cancellation of the lease deed itself rather than put the issue languishing for further litigations causing tensions and unrest to the fishing communities of Goa.

 

You are called upon to act decisively on the above matter.

Roque Menezes

(President)

 

Goa Special Ferry 454.54% price hike: protest letters to Chief Minister, River Navigation Minister

Date: March 09, 2020

To,

The Chief Minister,

Government of Goa

Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Minister for River Navigation,

Government of Goa

Porvorim, Goa

Subject: Protest against Special Ferry Price Hike notification

Sir,

It has come to our attention through notice pasted on Vanxim ferry that River and Navigation department has hiked fare of Special Ferry service from Rs.55/- to Rs.250/-: 454.54% hike on all routes in Goa. We write to express our strong protests as that will adversely affect the public navigating over rivers using Government Ferry service.We would like to remind you that Special Ferry service system was started after an incident in the decade of 1990s wherein Ferry at Vanxim refused to ply at mid-night (00.30 hours) in emergency situation of taking sick person for medical assistance. Late Ligorio F. Silveira brought this issue to the attention of then Captain of Ports and Special Ferry Service system was stared to cater to all needs of plying beyond regular hours.

You are therefore requested to roll back your proposal to hike the special ferry costs and keep it at current rate of Rs.55/-.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

 Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State