MARGAO
Smiles finally lit the faces of the traditional fishermen along the Benaulim-Colva-Varca coast after they netted bumper catch in the last few days.
Unlike the beginning of last month, when the fishermen used to net plastic waste and trash in their nets, there’s a turnaround in the last one week.
If the Varca coast reported a bumper catch of a mixed variety of fish on Saturday, Sunday saw the traditional fishermen from Benaulim registering a rich catch.
Attribute it to the water movement or otherwise, traditional fishermen say shoals of fish have been found moving very close to the coastline during the last one week.
Well-known fishermen from Benaulim, Pele Fernandes, said that the presence of fish very close to the shore is attributed by the elders to what is locally known as “shell” conditions. “Most of the ramponns (fishing nets) have recorded bumper catch of a mixed variety of fish including pomfret, both white and black, mackerels and other lesser-known varieties,” he said.
Pele said the government should remain vigilant and stop mechanized fishing vessels from fishing close to the shore or with LED lights.
“The traditional fishermen believe in sustainable fishing. Hence, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that fishing is banned close to the coast and no vessel should use LED lights or resort to bull trawling,” he added.
Sources said while the much-sought-after fish varieties find its way in the markets, the mixed varieties, which do not command any demand, are sold to the traders as waste.
That the traditional fishermen find it difficult to find space in the Margao wholesale fish market to unload the fish, indicates there’s a good catch of fish along Salcete’ coast in the last few days.
