Fishing jetty on cards along Katem-Baina

Fishing jetty on cards along Katem-Baina
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, JULY 20
It appears that the long-pending demand of the Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (GFBOA) for a fishing harbour is finally taking shape, with a site likely to be set up along the Katem-Baina shore.
According to plans made available by the MPT, the proposed fishing jetty at Katem-Baina is to be built at a cost of Rs 36 crore, with a berth length of 300 metres. The harbour, which will have a capacity of 250 mechanized fishing vessels, is expected to be completed by 2013.
The GFBOA had earlier been unable to have a proper fishing harbour, as efforts had encountered obstacles on six occasions in the last 15 years and this was mainly due to objections from locals or the unfeasibility and cost factor.
The MPT and state government had suggested six different sites, including the existing fishing jetty at Khariwado, Chicalim bay, Chicolna and the Baina bay.
The GFBOA had agreed to shift from Khariwado, provided that they were given a decent fishing harbour.
The MPT was eager to relocate the fishing jetty as it had plans to expand the port. Claiming that it had to comply with the International Shipping and Port Security (ISPS) code, the MPT had stated that the existing jetty would pose a security threat to foreign vessels.
Around seven months ago, a joint meeting was convened and a site at Katem-Baina was proposed and the MPT, Navy, state government and GFBOA had given their consent to new site.
However, there were apprehensions that the Navy could object to the site on grounds that the area is a flying zone and that the proposed harbour could attract birds that could pose a serious threat to the planes. Besides, the proposed fishing harbour would also pose some problems to the underwater navy sensors.
Dispelling these fears, Flag Officer of Goa Naval Area Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai said: “We have agreed in principle to allow the proposed fishing harbour at Katem-Baina. We considered various aspects before agreeing to the proposed fishing harbour.”
“Some environment clearances are left and once jetty is in operation, some stringent environmental guidelines have to be followed, since the proposed fishing jetty is in the neighboring of a defense area,” he added.
Said GFBOA president Simon Pereira: “If no one objects to the proposed fishing jetty, then our dream would come true, as plans to build a new fishing jetty have always been hampered due to so reason or the other.”
“The GFBOA had recently submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar, Fisheries Minister Joaquim Alemao, Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’ Souza and the Mormugao MLA seeking their support to the proposed fishing jetty at Katem-Baina.