As Goa’s fishing season officially resumes following the annual 61-day monsoon ban, the State’s major fishing jetties at Cutbona and Malim are witnessing a subdued start, marred by a shortage of migrant labour and lingering rough sea conditions.
At Cutbona, the State’s busiest fishing jetty, most mechanised vessels remain docked. Only a few small boats have ventured into the waters so far. Boat owners cite poor weather and a serious shortfall in crew — especially experienced deckhands and engine operators — as key reasons for the delay.
Savio D’Silva, chairman of the Cutbona Fisheries Cooperative Society, confirmed that fishing activity is yet to gain momentum. He said, “The seas are still rough, and we have not yet received even half the workforce we depend on.”
Many seasoned workers from eastern India are reportedly staying back.
They have opted for agricultural work or chosen southern ports like Malpe in Karnataka, where they are offered a share of the catch instead of fixed wages — a model seen as more rewarding.
Former president of the Cutbona Boat Owners Union, Patrick D’Silva, noted that barely 10% of the usual workforce has returned, making it unviable for many to launch large vessels. “It’s risky to send large vessels out now. If caught in a storm, they may have to dock at Karwar or elsewhere, far from home,” he added.
Similar concerns echo at the Malim jetty in Panjim, where boats remain idle despite the ban being lifted. Former Mandovi Fisheries Cooperative Society chairman Menino Alfonso said the season is likely to begin once the crew — mainly from Jharkhand and Odisha — arrives.
“The fishing season has not started yet because our crew members have not arrived. It will probably begin after five or six days,” Alfonso said.
“I think about 5,000 crew members will come here. On the small boats, there are four to five people working, and on the big boats, around 35 people are needed,” he explained.
While stakeholders at both jetties are hopeful for a better catch this year due to relatively lower rainfall, the ongoing labour crunch remains a critical challenge. At Cutbona, the Fisheries Department conducted health screenings for the few workers who have arrived, but only 250 to 300 labourers have been registered so far — far below expectations.
Adding to long-standing frustrations, Savio D’Silva pointed to the government’s repeated yet unfulfilled promises on dredging and building a retaining wall at Cutbona. “For the last 40 years we have been listening to the government say that they will do dredging and build a retaining wall, and when we go to ask they give us different reasons so I don’t think they will do it,” he said.
Meanwhile, concerns over illegal fishing practices persist. Alfonso noted that boats from outside Goa continue to engage in bull trolling within State waters. However, he expressed optimism about a government proposal to deploy drones for monitoring, saying it could help address the issue effectively.