Fisherfolk strike evokes tremendous response
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 29
The usually busy fish markets and fishing jetties wore a deserted look on Friday as the fishing community observed a day-long strike protesting against the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) draft notification.
The All-India strike call was given by the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) President Matanhy Saldanha, who said the strike evoked tremendous response.
Nearly 10,000 members including traditional fishermen, trawler owners, fish merchants – vendors, All India Trade Union of Congress across the state participated in the strike.
“All stakeholders of the fishing industry cooperated in the strike. At least now the Central government should realize that we don’t favour the recent CRZ notification which aims at threatening livelihood of several lakh fishermen across the country,” he said.
The protestors, who gathered at Head Post office in Panjim posted telegrams to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Minister for Environment & Forest Jairam Ramesh and other senior leaders expressing their resentment on the CRZ draft.
Goa has fishing as the third largest economic activity after tourism and mining industries. The state has 80,000 people actively involved in fishing industry.
The otherwise buzzing Malim jetty wore a deserted look since morning as there were no sale of fish throughout the day.
Major places like Panjim, Mapusa, Margao and Canacona had protest sit-in by the strikers.
Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Cooperative Society chairman Menino Afonso said that no trawler ventured in the sea during the strike period and it received support of all 175 trawler owners.
Saldanha has warned the Central Government that they will not keep quite as their demands are concerning coastal environment, safety and livelihood of fisherfolks.
NFF has strongly rejected the draft notification, since September 2010, when it came in public view. Goa Fish Vendors Association President Shashikala Govekar said that the association members’ backed the striking leaders.
MARGAO REPORTER ADDS: Goa’s lone wholesale fish market in the Commercial capital, besides the mega fish market shut shop on Friday in response to the strike call given by the National Fishworkers’ Forum.
At the Cutbona fishing jetty, dozens of trawlers dropped anchor on Friday because of the all-India strike.
Import of fish from across the borders came to an abrupt halt, while gates of the mega fish market were found locked since early morning. The hustle and bustle at the wholesale fish market went completely missing, even as fishermen assembled near the Margao post office around noon to register their protest and reject the draft CRZ notification 2010.
While addressing the fishermen, President of the Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott Agnelo Fernandes said the docks proposed along the coastline in the new draft policy would spell doom for the traditional fishing community. “Docks are proposed every few kms. This will severely affect the traditional fishing activites”, he said.
He further said that the fishermen will not be allowed to fish beyond 12 nautical miles and will have to face hefty fines and six month jail for any violation. “There is no fish close to the shore. Why should we seek permission from the central government every time the fishermen wants to fish beyond the 12 nautical miles”, he questioned.
VASCO REPORTER ADDS: The fish market and Khariwado fishing jetty in the port town wore a deserted look, as the fishing community from Vasco joined the nationwide strike called by National Fisherworkers Forum (NFF) on Friday. The market was closed and the wholesale fish shops had also downed their shutters in Vasco.
The Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (GFBOA), along with other associations, fisher vendors and people from the fishing community, staged a rally in Vasco and later assembled near the post office and resorted to a peaceful protest till afternoon.
Speaking to media persons, GFBOA President Simon Pereira said all the stakeholders, right from canoes, ramponkars, boat owners and fisher vendors, participated in large numbers to support the strike.
“The strike was a total success. Nearly 250-odd boats, canoes, supported the strike,” claimed Pereira.
“The fishing community is totally against the draft Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, which will kill the interests of fishermen in Goa,” said Pereira.
