CUNCOLIM: Strongly opposing Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado’s proposal to hand over the Cutbona fishing jetty to Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, the Cutbona Boat Owners ‘Association and the traditional fishermen have decided to meet the minister on Monday and submit a memorandum in this regard.
The members will meet the Minister on Monday, June 27 and put forth their objection.
Opposing Furtado’s proposal to hand over the Cutbona fishing jetty to Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, the Cutbona Boat Owners’ Association and the traditional fishermen have warned the government against taking any hasty and unilateral decision on the issue.
At an urgent meeting, the boat owners and traditional fishermen took up the issue with Furtado and the Fisheries Department officials, wherein the minister stated that the government proposes to hand over the jetty to the fishermen’s cooperative society.
Association president Savio D’Silva, Sudhakar Joshi and other traditional fishermen were present.
The boat owners present at the meeting decided not to allow the government and fisheries department to intervene in their matters.
The Association also raised objections to the mini harbour project and Central government’s port proposal at Betul by Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).
“The government is trying to take over the jetty. We will never allow it to take such a hasty decision,” said Savio.
“The government is not concerned on the use of LED lights by purse seine fishing boat owners, bull fishing and dry dock problems,” Savio further charged.
Speaking to Herald after the meeting, Savio slammed the government for trying to finish the age old Cutbona jetty.
The boat owners had paid a sum of Rs 2 lakh as annual fees to the government, he said, adding that the purse seine boat owners are trying to establish their monopoly.
