Team Herald
MARGAO: The impending commissioning of Goa’s modernised wholesale fish market has raised concerns among traditional fishing communities, who fear that new regulations and operational restrictions could disrupt their livelihoods. The newly constructed facility, featuring concrete platforms, aims to improve hygiene and efficiency, replacing the chaotic and often unsanitary conditions of the current market. However, the transition has sparked tensions between various stakeholder groups.
Local fishermen, including ramponkars, magkars, and cantankars, worry that fixed market hours and new access policies could make it difficult for them to sell their daily catch. “The sea doesn’t operate on a schedule,” said a veteran fisherman. “We can’t predict exactly when our boats will return. The market must accommodate our traditional fishing patterns, not the other way around.”
Complicating the situation further is the presence of migrant retail vendors, who have become an integral part of the market despite its designation as a wholesale facility. These vendors buy fish in bulk and sell by weight, operating on the fringes of the official system. Over time, their sopo (entry fee) payments have contributed significantly to the revenue of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA). In addition to fees collected from fish-laden vehicles entering the market hourly, these vendors have provided a steady income to both the PDA and private sopo collectors.
Adding to the complexity are Goan fish vendors who operate outside the market compound, specifically on the paved area near the PWD road. These vendors claim they were granted permission by former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and have since registered with the SGPDA. They argue that their status as traditional fishermen gives them the right to continue selling at this location, regardless of the new facility’s regulations.
The SGPDA, led by Chairman Krishna Salkar and board members including Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, now faces a difficult balancing act. The authority must decide whether to enforce strict wholesale-only operations or find a way to accommodate the various groups that have long depended on the market for their livelihood.
Traditional fishermen are particularly adamant about being distinguished from both migrant vendors and large-scale commercial traders. “We’re not importing fish from across State borders like the traders do,” one fisherman emphasised. “We bring fresh catch straight from our waters to consumers. That should be recognised.”