By Upendra Naik
It has been a month since the fishing season began. With calmer seas, fishermen have resumed their routine. In Goa, traditional Rampon Fishermen struggle to compete with the modern practice of LED fishing, yet they occasionally get lucky with a bumper catch. Currently, the Caranzalem Coast in North Goa is teeming with various species of fish, including the coveted Tiger Prawns
Rampon Fishing is done near the coast. The process starts by casting a large net, similar to a Purse Seine Fishing Net, from about 1-1.5 kilometers into the sea during high tide. Once the tide starts to recede, the hard work begins as the fishermen prepare to pull in the net.
It requires a massive collective effort to drag the net full of fish back to shore. About 150 to 200 workers are involved in this labor-intensive process, all working together to pull the heavy load back onto the beach.
At Caranzalem Beach, the Rapan fishing teams operate in a Rotation-Based System. There are 19 teams, and each gets its turn once every 19 days. Only one team is allowed to fish on any given day, and the next team must wait its turn, ensuring fair access for all.
For the Rapan fishermen, daily earnings vary greatly depending on the catch. On regular days, workers can expect wages between ₹300 to ₹500. However, on days when a bumper catch is secured, wages can soar to ₹1,000 to ₹1,300 making the wait worthwhile
From July to October,Ramponkars bring in a rich variety of fish, including tiger prawns, white prawns, Pomfrets , Mackrels . Tiger prawns fetch a premium price of ₹700 per kg, while Pomfret go for ₹1,000 per kg.
