MARGAO
Agitated Cavelossim villagers on Wednesday stopped unloading of fish from fishing vessels on the banks of river Sal at Mobor, with a plea to the Fisheries department and other authorities to immediate stop the activity.
Fisheries officials, who rushed to the spot following complaints from the local villagers, have collected photographic evidence of the fish unloading activity at Mobor, and will be submitted to the department in a day or two for further action.
While Adv Irish Passainha told the media that the unloading of fish from the fishing vessels into insulated vehicles is being carried out illegally by flouting all norms, owner Minguel Rodrigues informed that he is being targeted by some persons though he is in possession of a trade license to carry out the activity.
Villagers assembled on the banks of River Sal at Mobor on Wednesday evening after a fishing vessel of Minguel landed to unload fish. They demanded action against the activity, saying that the activity has been going on despite resolution adopted at the gram sabha and complaints to various authorities by the villagers.
Adv Passainha said the villagers had been agitated against the activity but in vain. “Let the owner show that he has got the permission. It is a totally illegal activity. Why is he doing the unloading and loading business at Mobor when there’s a jetty on the other side of the river at Cutbona,” he said, while demanding to know how the activity can be permitted in a CRZ area.
Minguel Rodrigues, however, begged to differ. He said fishing boats used to dock at the spot since the last 70s, adding that it is not uncommon to find fishing vessels dropping anchor on the Mobor side of the river Sal. “Why am I being targeted. This place has a trade license from the Panchayat since 1978. I am unloading fish from my fishing vessels because I am marketing the fish in my vehicles,” he said, adding that his activity at Mobor has reduced the burden on the Cutbona jetty.
Minguel demanded to know whether the objection for his activity is being raised just because it is being carried out by a Goan. “I feel it is a problem to be a successful person in Goa. I have been even called an outsider here. It is very sad,” he said, adding that his activity has not resulted in any problem to anyone.
Sources in the fisheries department told The Goan that the Minister for Fisheries is expected to take a call on the issue at Mobor after going through the report compiled by the department officials.
