Team Herald
MARGAO: Fish lovers rushed to Curtorim on Sunday to purchase a bountiful catch of freshwater fish harvested from Mai-Tollem. Farmers engaged in fish farming managed to obtain a larger catch compared to last year, when half of the catch was sold to fish lovers while the remaining portion was distributed among the farmers.
Curtorim is well-known for freshwater fish harvesting. Fish enthusiasts from different parts of Salcete Taluka visit Curtorim to buy fish harvested from the numerous lakes located in the village. Mai-Tollem, which is one of the lakes in the area, attracts a large number of fish lovers. On Sunday, a massive harvest of a variety of fish, including chonok, catla and goldfish was obtained. There was high demand for Chonok, which was sold for a whopping Rs 1,200 each, and catla, which was priced at Rs 500 per kilo.
The harvesting began at around 6 am and as the news spread, fish lovers from neighbouring villages made a beeline to Mai-Tollem. Shubert D’Costa, a farmer, stated that this year, they took better care of the farmed fish, which resulted in a substantial catch.
“Not all catches will be sold. Half will be distributed amongst the farmers who contributed to the fish farming,” said D’Costa.
Caitano Rodrigues, a fish lover from Fatorda who was present at Mai-Tollem to purchase freshwater fish, has been buying fish harvested from the lake for many years. He stated that the rates are reasonable, and he never misses buying fish from Mai-Tollem.
Rodrigues also appealed to the government to promote freshwater fish farming in Goa, which would benefit local farmers and help to promote the culture of freshwater fish harvesting in the state. “We have heard that farmers have to face many hardships to obtain fish seed and often have to depend on other States. The concerned department needs to resolve this issue to keep alive the culture of freshwater fish farming in Goa,” said Rodrigues.
