PANJIM, OCT 28
Goans will have to go without a fish on Friday with National Fishworkers Forum along with various fishing industry stakeholders joining hands in a country-wide strike.
The strike is called to protest the fresh Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) that allegedly threatens the livelihood of several lakh fishermen across the country. NFF had strongly rejected the draft notification, since September 2010, when it came to in public view.
NFF President Matanhy Saldanha said that no fishermen will venture into the sea for fishing and also fish won’t be sold in the market.
He claimed that thousands of fisherfolks and other fishing communities have lend their support to the strike. Goa has 80,000 people actively involved in fishing industry.
Saldanha told Herald that the strike will get good response as it is concerning coastal environment, safety and livelihood of fisher folks.
“Fishermen across country will not go for fishing and there will be no sale of fish in the markets. The trawler owners have vehemently supported us along with the fishermen, fish vendors and agents,” he said.
NFF has decided to post telegrams to the Union Ministry of Environment & Forest, Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and other central ministers.
In Goa, major places like Panjim, Mapusa, Margao and Canacona will have protest sit-in by the strikers.
Goa Fish Vendors Association President Shashikala Govekar said that the association members’ are in totally backing the striking leaders and they will participate in the day-long protest from 4am to 5pm.
“We have also requested vegetable vendors to show camaraderie and join the strike,” she said.
Nearly 175 trawler owners from Malim jetty have shown their solidarity. Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Cooperative Society Chairman Menino Afonso said that no trawler will venture in the sea during the strike period.
“We have shut our business for the day no matter what would be the total loss we endure. There will be no activity in the jetty. We have instructed out fishing team in the sea not to return back on Friday before 5 pm,” he said.
The jetty operates around 325 trawler boats, will be docked at the jetty. Several tones of fish being exported outside, hotels and to local markets will be closed entirely.
One may recall in September, Saldanha had claimed the draft notification as ‘bundle of contradictions’ as it gives blanket permission to set up nuclear plants along the coastline.
The forum had also expressed anguish that despite the Government knowing this would result in marine environment degradation, the latter is seeking setting up more such plants along the coastline which in long tern would displace traditional fishermen and destroy traditional occupation.
