Trawler owners ask for better fishing infra

Colva: At midnight on May 31, a 61-day fishing ban will come into force along Goa’s 105-km coastline, bringing fishing activities in the state’s territorial waters to a halt. Nearly 1,500 trawlers will suspend operations during the monsoon period. While the fishing season has ended on a relatively positive note for some trawler operators, several long-pending infrastructure issues continue to trouble the fishing community.

Trawler owner Denis D’Costa said the season was “particularly good,” largely due to a huge harvest of sardines. “Sardines fetch good prices because of their nutritional value. Large quantities are also used for extracting medicinal oils and for manufacturing manure in fish meal plants. Local consumption forms only a small fraction of the total catch,” he said. He also added that a successful fishing trip can yield anywhere between eight to ten tonnes of sardines.

D’Costa also shed light on the serious challenges faced by the fishing industry, particularly the incomplete training wall at Cavelossim beach. “A training wall is essential to prevent the formation of sand bars at the river mouth where it meets the sea. These sand bars obstruct the movement of trawlers when operations resume,” he explained to TOI.

He also complained about the poor maintenance of infrastructure created for fishermen. More than 50 modern toilets had been constructed in the area, but many eventually became unusable after the water supply was discontinued.

Savio D’Silva said smaller trawler owners, however, have suffered losses. “Fish stocks are depleting every year, and the use of LED lights in fishing has made survival difficult for small trawler operators,” he said.

Implemented since 1981, the annual ban from June 1 to July 31 is aimed at protecting marine resources during the crucial spawning season and for the safety of fishermen.