MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024
Team Herald
The fishermen from Benaulim on Sunday have voiced their concerns, urging the government to make the Margao fish market go 24/7 for Goan sellers so that the Goan fish vendors can have ample f time to sell their fish. Additionally, they also demanded strict action to be taken on the non-Goan trawlers who use LED lights to catch fish.
On Sunday morning, Benaulim fishermen caught two huge Chonak fish after a very long time. The Barramundi, Asian sea bass, or giant sea perch commonly known as Chonak fish in the Konkani language is a preferred delicacy for all Goans. The fishermen expressed happiness over the catch and also stated how it is difficult for the Goan fisher folks to get a golden catch from their own land. This is mainly due to the non-Goan trawlers and fishermen who come in flocks and catch all the good fish from the sea and leave a few for the Goan Fishermen.
Additionally, the fishermen expressed frustration over the restricted timings of the Margao fish market. They highlighted that to get a good amount of fish to fill their basket; they take a lot of time due to lack of fish in the sea. By the time their basket is full, the clock strikes 12 noon. When the fishermen go to sell their fish to the vendors they deny taking it as they have already purchased fish from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, etc.
The fishermen have requested the government to make the fish market operational 24/7 for Goan fisher folks and vendors. This will not only help them to sell their catch but it will also help the local vendors to extend their business hours.
Furthermore, the fishermen have voiced a serious issue that they have been facing every day. Discontented, they drew attention towards the ongoing problem of the non-goan trawlers coming from Bombay, Karnataka and Gujarat and spreading their net on the Goan seas. They use LED lights to attract the fish in the sea and harvest all the fish leaving a few behind. This method of using LED lights for fishing is illegal and the fishermen have demanded the government to take stringent action on such trawlers.
