Neshwin Almeida/Navin Jha
There is a likelihood that the fishermen community may be looking away from the ruling as well as the principle opposition party of Goa this time round. The fishing community which was earlier represented by the mighty Matanhy Saldanha, has in recent times been deserted by almost all after topics like development, language, debts of the stage took centre stage over the basic issues of CRZ laws, boll back of Marina and Issues and hardships faced by local fishing community due to the commercialisation.
Fishermen Community of Goa is definitely the most oldest and the Niz Goenkar community of Goa. Sadly, the community for its unity has only been steered around and used by all the major parties and the leaders of these communities. Term after term the situation worsens but no sign of solution.
Olencio Simoes, the Joint General Secretary of Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott, Secretary of National Fishworkers’ Forum and now the AAP candidate of Cortalim said “It was March 21st the entire nation was shocked after the demise of late Matanhy Saldanha a heavy and strong crusader of the environment and Hero of the Fishermen of Goa and India. After his sudden demise the fishing community of Goa were shattered and dejected and lost thinking who will spearhead their issues which Matanhy did for the last 40 years. Alina Saldanha did fill in for Matanhy but not in all ways” said Olencio.
“As time comes Alina Saldanha lost the connect and failed to address any issues with a strong resistance and voice. Parrikar who had promised to uphold the legacy of Matanhy Saldanha started undoing what Matanhy opposed and in which Alina also is in hand in glove” said Simoes.
Issues like Implementation of the CRZ notification 2011 to regularize the fishermen houses, Notification of the fishing villages as per CRZ notification 2011, Proposed Marinas at Sancoale, Mechanized beach cleaning machines, Denotification of MPT jurisdiction over inland and coastal areas (water), Implementation of 5 km ban, Extend fishing ban from 61 to 90 days, Ban all destructive gears of fishing to conserve fish and marine life as fish is the staple food of Goans etc were burning which the BJP has is being accused of having make U turns on.
The ramponkar’s and trawler owners at Benaulim, Colva, Cavelossim, Mobor are mighty upset with the government that neither of them are taken seriously.
The LED issue divides the Ramponkars and the trawler owners and both factions are deeply upset that despite Avertano DSilva, being the fisheries minister and from Salcete, neither of the two have their issues resolved.
The fraction led by Velim MLA Benjamin Silva brother wants no pressure on the trawler owners and to be continued to be allowed to use LED Lights while fishing in the deep sea despite them being accused of using these lights to locate fish school in the deep sea and attracting fish closer thereby wiping out the sea too soon of the fish. But the trawler owners also have their grouse.
Mingueline Fernandes and Anton Jose Pereira, a fraction of fishermen met up with Arvind Kejrival and other AAP leaders since they felt that their demands are not being looked into. The fisherman were hoping that the Tourism Master plan and development of beaches in South Goa especially the Colva-Benaulim-Cavelossim sector would pave way for wharfs for the fisherman to store their canoes and boats and nets. Also they were promised that special areas would be developed along the coast for them to dry the fish and also to store fish and transport in a better manner. Though promised the government met none of these demands.
“We’re various groups of fisherman and our needs differ. From creating special market spaces for us in more villages to desilting the River Sal mouth to ensure the sand bar doesn’t hold up the trawlers, to creating parking zones for the ramponkars to recognizing the fish drying activity as a fishermen’s trade and creating zones for fish drying and storage, all this the government needs to address” said Mingueline. Also rising shacks on the beaches is blocking access of the coastline to the fisherman and uncontrolled water sports has added to this menace, explains Peter Carvalho, who’s in the fish buying drying business near Loguinhos Resort, Colva.
As far as commercial fishing is concerned Velim becomes the heart land of the activity as it houses the largest fish production on the Cutbona Jetty. The issue between the mechanised and the ramponn fishermen is going to rule the voters in this and neighbouring constituencies.
Edrich Correia a Velim local and also an Independent Candidate of Velim said “Most of the mecanised fishing vessel owners do not contribute nor take active part in the overall welfare and development of Cutbona and Betul fishing communities. Most of the fish produced here is either packed and exported abroad or to other states and the locals hardly get to see the fish caught in these waters at their local Tinto” he said. Edrich also raised the health related issues arising due to the migrant workers so the early detection and blamed it on the excessive commercialisation of fishing at his areas.
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KNOW KHARVIS
n The Kharvi, who are also known as Tari, are a community found in Goa. Some are Christians, while others are Hindus. They have various sub-groups, among which are the Arrikars, Kantaikars, Magkars, Pagelkars and Ramponkars.They are distinct from the Gabit community found mostly in northern Goa, although they share a similar traditional occupation.
n Found chiefly in the coastal talukas of Mormugao, Salcete and Tiswadi, the Catholic Kharvis generally speak the Konkani language but some use Portuguese. They write Konkani using Roman script. Arranged marriages are common but not prevalent, and monogamy is practised. The traditional joint family arrangements are increasingly giving way to the nuclear family. Their principal diet is rice and fish curry but meat and vegetables are also important constituents.
n While the Kharvis are traditionally a significant group among the fishing community of Goa, many of the younger generation have moved away from that occupation and also from the area.
n As of 1996, the Kharvis in Goa were designated as an Other Backward Class in the central list maintained by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). At that time their representation said that they prefer to be known as Kshatriya Marathas but the NCBC listed them as “Koli, Kharvi (including Christian Kharvi)
