Problems at Malim Jetty threaten to sink trawler operators’ livelihood

Problems at the Mandovi Fisheries Marketing Co-op Society (MFMCS), popularly known as Malim Fishing Jetty, threaten to sink the livelihood of over 300 trawler operators who use the jetty as their base.

Set up in January 1984, the MFMCS has 325 trawlers affiliated to the society and offers its members services such as diesel and oil supply, ice, water tankers, grocery items and spare parts for trawlers. The society also has its own workshop to service trawlers.

The society has been paying an annual rent of Rs 6 lakh to the State government for the allotted land at Malim.

Speaking to Herald, MFMCS Chairman Menino Afonso highlighted the challenges faced by their trawler operators due to rival players from beyond the State.

“High-speed mechanised boats with 450HP engines from Kerala and Malpe (Karnataka) enter Goa’s waters and catch our fish, depriving us of a good catch. The government should ban outside trawlers in Goa’s waters to safeguard the interest of Goan trawlers,” Afonso said. He also listed out various other constraints at the fishing jetty.

“The existing jetty is only 120 metres long and is insufficient to cater to 325 trawlers. It becomes very difficult for trawler owners to load ice into their trawlers if these vessels are not anchored at the jetty,” he said.

“The society had demanded an extension to the jetty by 200 metres and a proposal in this regard was sent to the government two years ago. Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar had visited the jetty eight months ago and had agreed to extend the jetty,” Afonso said.

“During Parrikar’s visit, we had also requested the government to provide a bigger auction shed at the jetty. The existing shed, which is only 3 metres wide and 10 metres long, is not enough for auction purpose. Parrikar had agreed to construct a bigger auction shed through the GSIDC,” Afonso said.

Afonso told Herald that the society had also requested the electricity department to install a bigger 300 KV transformer. “The existing transformer cannot cope with our demand, but nothing has been done so far,” he said.

The Malim Fishing Jetty chairman also pointed out the difficulties in undertaking construction work at the jetty.

“Jetties should be excluded from CRZ regulations. The local panchayat has filed a case against us for having constructed a shed in the jetty on grounds that it violates CRZ regulations. Boat owners are required to keep some equipment at the jetty and hence, the construction of a small structure was inevitable,” he added.

“The panchayat earns Rs 10 lakh every year through the sale of diesel by the society through two pumps. The panchayat also collects ‘sopo’ and yet, we do not get the required support from the panchayat,”Afonso claimed.

He added that the government had not been supportive to trawler operators, regarding the refund of VAT on diesel. 

“The State government has not refunded the VAT on diesel from April 2014 till December 2014 to the boat owners. The government collects an 8% VAT on diesel sale and had earlier agreed to refund the VAT to boat owners. But so far, we have not received this refund,” Afonso said.

“If boat owners don’t get the required government support, it will be difficult for trawler owners to continue their business,” Afonso said.

When contacted, Penha da Franca Deputy Sarpanch Swapnil Chodanker disputed the claims made by Afonso.

“We get octroi from all petrol pumps in the panchayat area. But the panchayat does not get any income from operations of MFMCS. This society has an ice plant, shops and fish is sold on retail basis in their premises. But the society does not pay any taxes to the panchayat. On the contrary, the panchayat collects garbage from the jetty. The panchayat has not filed any case against the society. The case has been filed by a private party,” Chodanker said.