SIOLIM: At 31, Elviro Fernandes has mastered the art of balancing two seemingly contrasting worlds: music and fishing- his two true passions that have now transformed into careers.
Elviro’s foray into the world of angling began at the age of five or six, when his aunt would take him to the small freshwater river, Ponnir, that flows behind his Siolim village home. Armed with nothing more than a bamboo rod, a simple line, and a hook, they would cast their lines from the riverbanks, patiently waiting for the catch of the day.
Elviro’s passion for fishing runs in his blood; his parents, like many Goan families, have enjoyed fishing by the river as a way of life.
By day, Elviro works at a fish and tackle store in Siolim, where he helps fellow fishing enthusiasts select the right gear for their expeditions and helps novices through workshops. But as the sun sets, he transforms into a singer, forming one half of an acoustic duo that frequents restaurants and bars, enchanting audiences with rock and
retro classics. Elviro’s musical talents extend beyond his vocal prowess; he plays five instruments, all self-taught.
“I love fishing because of its tranquility,” Elviro explains. “When you go fishing, you forget about every bad thing, every worry during the entire day. It’s about being one with nature, experiencing calm.” While his love for angling is driven by his passion for nature and the satisfaction of providing healthy, natural produce, he also earns a decent income from it. Restaurants readily buy his catches at good rates.
His angling exploits include impressive catches, including a formidable catfish in freshwater and a sizable fingermark snapper weighing six and a half kilos in saltwater. Elviro’s favourite technique is ‘jigging’, using a weighted jig or attractive lure that entices the fish. He’s not just a solo angler; he takes pleasure in sharing his skills with friends and family, often taking cousins visiting from abroad on fishing adventures.
Elviro ventures out on a fishing boat three times a week, sometimes more, covering both ocean and river
waters. His typical expeditions, undertaken with his boss and fellow angling enthusiast Nelson Dube, extend 10-15 kilometers out, and they move parallel to the coastline, occasionally traveling even farther towards Maharashtra, Vengurla, Shiroda, and beyond. Each expedition usually lasts around four hours, contingent on the tides and weather conditions.
In Goa, many Russian tourists are keen on learning and experiencing fishing firsthand, and Elviro and his team serve as guides, offering advice on gear selection and usage.
“Fishing is addictive,” Elviro says with a smile. “When I get a report that the fish are biting on a particular day, we sacrifice sleep, downtime, and even social gatherings to be out on the water. I also end up spending a lot on gear as every other month, something new is released,” he says sheepishly.
Yet, he strongly opposes net fishing. “The nets end up catching fish and sea life that don’t get consumed, and they don’t deserve to die. These species are being depleted from the ecosystem and it affects the balance of biodiversity,” says Elviro. In the river, he mainly catches catfish, which are an invasive species that have gobbled up a lot of the tasty fish that used to inhabit the water body. He also witnesses the darker side of his passion, where environmental consciousness is lacking.
He points out the upsetting sight of plastic bags being carelessly thrown from the Siolim bridge into the river, where they harm not only the aquatic life but also add to the problem of microplastics in fish.
“There has been a huge drop in fish species compared to when I started saltwater fishing about 10-15 years ago. Many species we used to encounter have become scarce,” he laments. He advocates for respecting breeding seasons and organises workshops on the catch and release system to educate fellow fishermen, especially the younger generation.
