TEAM HERALD
VASCO: Members of traditional fishermen on Tuesday met Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida and sought clarification over his statement on the construction of Vasco fishing jetty.
The fishermen, gathered at Almeida’s office at Vasco, sought to know why he did not take the traditional fishermen into confidence before making such statement. They told Almeida that they will not move out of Vasco beach as they have been carrying their forefather’s fishing tradition and has been born and brought up at Khariwada.
They raised their objection to the extension of Vasco fishing jetty and said if the fishing jetty is extended, then the traditional fishermen, who have been casting their nets and anchoring their canoes would be displaced.
After giving a patient hearing, Almeida said in the past not a single elected MLA from Vasco ever gave a thought of constructing the fishing jetty. He said he did not want to displace any traditional fishermen.
Almeida told the fishermen that construction plans of the new fishing jetty at Khariwada is not finalised and before constructing the jetty he would take all the traditional fishermen into confidence and go ahead with the plan.
“I don’t want to bypass you and construct Vasco fishing jetty. Many MLAs have been elected from Vasco and not a single ever thought of Vasco fishing jetty. I took up the matter with the chief minister and I will take everyone into confidence before executing the plans,” said Almeida.
Speaking to Herald, Almeida said the Vasco fishing jetty needs to be reconstructed at the earliest to save the interest of trawler owners.
