Fish catch on the decline in Goa

Fish catch on the decline in Goa
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JUNE 5
It’s for two consecutive years that fish catch of Goa has been on decline as hostile weather condition held back fishermen from going into the sea many a times during the fishing season.
During last season the Cyclone Phyan spelt doom for many trawler owners, this season fishermen preferred to anchor their vessels at the slightest warning rather than face rough weather.
Many trawler owners suffered huge losses when Phyan hit Goa Coast in 2009.
Total marine catch came down to 88771metric ton in 2009, according to the provisional figures released by the Fisheries department, this season catch has further declined to 80687 metric ton.
When contacted Director of Fisheries S C Verenkar though, said there is no scientific basis to show why there has been drop in the fish catch, the inclement weather condition have to be blamed to some extend.
As season closes on June 15 when fishing ban begins and would be in force till July 31, most fishing trawlers have stopped their trips.
“Since the cyclone warning last month our trawlers have stopped going for fishing,” says Menino Afonso, Chairman Mandovi Fishermen Co-operative
Society Ltd.
Since Cyclone Phyan hit Goa coast in November last, no trawler attached to the Malim jetty has gone for deep sea fishing. “They have not yet overcome their fears,” says Afonso and hence did not go deep sea fishing.
Some 38 persons were reported missing from the Malim jetty and four trawlers never returned as caught in the Cyclone Phyan.
However, in addition to unfavorable weather, competition from big trawlers coming from outside the State has been responsible factor.
Our small trawlers with 150 horse power can’t compete with big trawlers with 350 horse power which come fishing into Goa’s water, complaint Afonso.
While authorities may not able to pinpoint why there has been decline in fish catch, but it is matter of concern as fish catch of has seen drop post 2005. (see box).
A drop has also been registered in the quantity of inland fish catch in the last few years. The drop has been since 2005 — Inland fish catch was about 4194 metric but since this has steadily declined to 3000 metric ton.