CUNCOLIM: The Cutbona Boat Owners’ Union (CBOU) has demanded that the government ban bull trawling along Goa’s coast as it will destroy marine life. They have further sought that the Supreme Court takes suo moto cognizance of this activity and initiate measures to ban it.
Recently, two fishing boats each from Mangaluru and Malpe, with a total of eight crew members on board, were found engaged in bull trawling close to Goa’s coast. Aggrieved Cutbona boat owners seized the Karnataka boats and handed them over to the Fisheries Department. The four vessels were released with a warning to the fishermen and after obtaining an undertaking from their association that such an incident would not be repeated.
CBOU also demanded the upgrading of facilities and infrastructure at the Cutbona jetty as well as its extension.
Local MLA Benjamin Silva supported the boat owners and pointed out that he had mooted the proposal for the jetty’s extension, but due to opposition from locals, the proposal went into cold storage. He stated that bull trawling must be stopped at all costs and added that the proposal of improving the jetty’s infrastructure was being taken up by the fisheries department.
Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado recalled that in the Assembly, the government had announced a proposal for the jetty and that was being actively pursued. Regarding the demands for better monitoring of bull trawling and boats from neighbouring States venturing into Goa’s waters, he stated that the coastal police are patrolling the area and have assured to look into their other grievances.
Local boat owners sated that the sea limits and border issues were big issues as they had created enmity between boat owners from neighbouring states.
They also listed out several issues that need urgent attention. They gave the example of toilet facilities, which are an urgent requirement, especially for the migrant labour.
The boat owners feel that sanitation problem needs to be addressed immediately as it leads to other health concerns.
“The government wants to make Cutbona the fishing hub, but all this issues are still pending. The government must take all stakeholders into confidence and draw a model concept that will satisfy all,” said a boat owner.
