Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott paid rich tribute today and celebrated the 76th Birthday anniversary of the Late General Secretary of GRE Matanhy Saldanha which was attended by South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes, Ex-Sarpanch, Ex Panch’s of Velsao, Ex ZP of Sancoale of Vasant Naik, Panch of Velsao Francisco Braganza, Niz Ramponkarancho Ekvott and Goencho Ekvott members.
South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes stated that the fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar could go for a trip like Norway but has done nothing to protect the livelihoods of the fishing community of Goa but has divided them so that they can protect the bigger lobby as if you see 70% of the budget which was presented by the finance minister for the year 2024-25 is diverted for cage fishing, aquaculture, etc. and drastically reduced the budget to mere 30% to the niz fishermen of this country.
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Agnelo Rodrigues President stated that it had been 12 years since Matanhy Saldanha departed from this world, but not a single day have we forgotten the work that he carried to the fishing community and to protect our land, environment, and heritage of Goa, today it is because of Matanhy Saldanha the fishing community of Goa has survived.
Olencio Simoes General Secretary stated that Matanhy was not a politician but a true warrior of Goa who fought tirelessly to protect Goa’s environment, land, and culture. When GRE was formed 50 years ago, where Matanhy fought a historic battle that led to legislation like the Goa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, Water (Prevention and Control) Act, Coastal Regulation Zone, and many such regulations that have not only benefited the fishing community of India but world.
Simoes stated that the Goa Fishing Legislation Act which was formed 44 years back has still not been amended as per today’s prevailing situation and condition of the fishing stocks, the government of Goa especially the fisheries minister Nilkant Halarnkar has to bring Stricker regulation to curb illegal fishing, over-exploitation of fishing resources including increasing fines, restricting catch of juvenile of fish, net size, increasing monsoon ban and advance monitoring system so that the fishing community of Goa survives the next generation as its sad that today the younger generation has started to migrate to foreign countries due to the unavailability of fish in the sea.
