Daijiworld Media Network – Margao

Margao, Aug 2: The commencement of the new fishing season on Saturday failed to bring cheer to fishermen operating from the Cutbona fishing jetty in Goa, as rough weather, hazardous navigation conditions at the mouth of the River Sal and a shortage of manpower kept all fishing vessels ashore.

Although around 15 to 20 mechanised fishing boats were fully prepared to resume operations after the annual monsoon fishing ban, none ventured into the Arabian Sea after boat owners assessed the unsafe conditions at the River Sal mouth.

Secretary of the Cutbona Boat Owners Federation, Patrick Silva, said the safety of the vessels and crew was the primary concern.

"Some of the boats were ready to venture out for fishing, but after assessing the situation, the owners realised that the hostile conditions at the River Sal mouth would make it extremely difficult for the vessels to return safely. As a result, not a single fishing vessel operating from the Cutbona fishing jetty ventured into the sea on the opening day of the new fishing season," he said.

Silva said the recurring navigation problem at the River Sal mouth continues to affect the livelihoods of hundreds of fishermen and boat owners.

"We only hope that the present situation opens the eyes of the government and prompts it to finally take up the long-pending construction of a training wall at the River Sal mouth. The issue has remained unresolved for years despite repeated representations from the fishing community," he added.

Chairman of the Cutbona Fisheries Society, Savio D'Silva, said the fishing community faced multiple challenges on the very first day of the season.

"Several fishing vessels were unable to commence operations due to a shortage of manpower, as many workers have still not reported back after the monsoon fishing ban. Even those who were prepared to sail had to abandon their plans because of the hazardous navigation conditions at the River Sal mouth," he said.

He cautioned that the problem could continue even if weather conditions improve.

"The sea conditions may become favourable, but unless the situation at the River Sal mouth improves, fishing vessels operating from Cutbona will continue to face serious difficulties in entering and exiting the harbour. The rough and shallow conditions at the river mouth pose a significant safety risk to boats and their crew," he observed.

The delayed start to the fishing season has dealt a blow to the local fishing community, with boat owners warning that every lost fishing day results in financial losses for fishermen, crew members and businesses dependent on the sector.

The disruption has once again highlighted the long-pending demand for permanent measures to improve navigational safety at the River Sal mouth, an issue that has repeatedly hampered fishing operations over the years.