Bad weather hits Goa fishing industry hard

Since the fishing season began on August 1, Goa's fishing industry has lost almost Rs 100 crore to the bad weather and cyclone-like winds which prevent fishing vessels from venturing into the sea.

Of the total 2,200 registered fishing trawlers, 1500 vessels were ready to venture into deep sea. However, the local weather bureau instructed the Captain of Ports, Fisheries Department and the State administration to issue warning signals to the fishermen.

Captain of Ports A P Mascarenhas said, "We received an official weather report from the Met department which has directed us to issue warnings to fishermen asking them not to venture into the sea for the next 48 hours."

Subsequently, all the vessels were asked to anchor at their respective jetties - Malim, Cutbona, Mormugao and three other jetties in Goa.

Earlier, the fishing ban was imposed from 10 June to 15 August. This is the first time in three years that mechanised owners have been permitted to commence fishing from 1 August against the Panaji bench of Bombay High Court imposed ban till 15 August.

"We were celebrating this year, since the government reduced the fishing ban period from 15 August to 1 August. But, nature played an unforeseen hand and the fishing industry has lost Rs 100 crore from domestic as well as international markets," Victor Gonsalves, chairman of the Trawler Owners Association told Business Standard.

There more than 2,000 fishing vessels and each trawler earns over Rs one lakh on a single trip. "But, these 15 days are crucial for us, as each trip gives a handsome return of Rs 5 lakh," he said. Gonsalves added that this year the vessels were to venture out for the prized solar shrimp, which has a good international price.

S C Vernekar, Director of Fisheries, added "Most of the fishermen venture out for solar shrimps and these are available only during some days in the monsoon."

But this year the boat owners are weary of venturing into the deep seas as the seas are rough. They feel that it will not be advisable to go out fishing at least in the next two days. Everything depends on the weather situation now.