MARGAO: People from all walks of life at a public meeting in Margao on Thursday called for classifying fish under Essential Services Management Act (ESMA).
With the ban on fish imports in force, the speakers demanded a ban on fish exports too until prices and supplies in Goa stabilised.
Prominent persons Adv Radharao Gracias, Adv Anacleto Viegas, Dr Jorson Fernandes, Dr Ajit Kantak, Dr Varun Carvalho Mahesh Nayak and others attended.
They also called breaking the monopoly in the wholesale fish trade in Goa.
Adv Gracias said, “Because the Congress has failed we are here today opposing and criticising the Government. We are all fishermen by virtue of our relation with fish and the one who is stopping us from eating it will not be forgiven”.
“What happens after August 3? How do we find out which fish is imported or from Goa?” Radharao asked.
Margao meet for classifying fish under ESMA
Reacting to the Government statement on monitoring of fish, Radharao said, “They say they will monitor the fish but if the police cannot stop matka how will FDA stop formalin laced fish as there are no authorities that are true to their jobs”.
“In Goa all the major food and eatable trades are being controlled by a section of the society. We have to rise up and break this monopoly as there are unscrupulous people in these trades” Radharao demanded.
He urged the audience and the representatives to take the fight to major towns and villages across Goa.
“All good things start in Salcete. It was expected from the Congress to start this because it has maximum MLAs in Salcete but we have been forced to start the movement because of their absence,” he said.
“There is Government subsidy for trawlers. However, the catch is exported and Goans are left to eat imported fish”, complained Edrich Correia, a seafarer.
“Goans have lagged behind in stopping the market monopoly in Goa due to casual attitude. Ban the dealers as he is setting the rates in Goa at present,” he demanded.
“We do not want trucks loaded with fish from other states. If this continues then we will have to demand that the subsidy to our local Goan trawlers be stopped. The Chief Minister should ban the fish imports permanently” Edrich said.
Dr Fernandes said, “We have witnessed the worst mercury poisoning in Minimata Bay in Japan which claimed 2,000 lives. But we wish to ask how many times does the government check on the fish that dies and gets washed ashore?” Dr Jorson questioned.
“We have to go back to our ramponkars if we need safe fish,” he added.
