Team Herald
VASCO: South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes and the Goenchea Ramponkaracho Ekvott (GRE) on Thursday criticised the ruling BJP government for failing to protect environment and the livelihood of the traditional fishermen in the State.
Both, Capt Fernandes and the GRE leaders participated in the 76th birth anniversary programme of former minister Matanhy Saldanha at Cansaulim.
Expressing his concern over the destruction of natural ecosystems and the lack of support for traditional fishing livelihood, Capt Fernandes criticised the government for creating an atmosphere of fear among citizens, who are fighting against the system. The people are scared that the government will take revenge or harass them, using police and other agencies.
He alleged that the Directorate of Fisheries had neglected the traditional fishermen and the then Director of Fisheries went on foreign trips along with big industrial players.
He pointed out that only 30 per cent of the budget was allocated to traditional fishermen while, balance 70 per cent was allocated to cage farming and other ventures.
The MP charged that the coastline and rivers in the State were being handed over to the port, which will further jeopardise the livelihood of fishermen.
GRE general secretary Olencio Simoes said that the fishing community was carrying forward late Matanhy’s legacy, despite his passing away in 2012. The struggle for rights of ramponkars started in 1973 led to establishment of the Marine Regulations Act, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and the Goa Pollution Act.
He feared that projects under Sagarmala and transportation of coal will displace traditional fishermen and destroy their livelihood.
Simoes alleged that the government had failed to stop LED light fishing, bull trawling, and the intrusion of fishing boats from neighbouring State into Goan waters depleting fish stocks. The Directorate of Fisheries had no mechanism to initiate action against these illegal activities, he added.
Urging to uphold Matanhy’s legacy, Simoes appealed to the government to extend the fishing ban period and to take concrete steps to ensure protection of environment and fishermen’s livelihood.