Team Goemkarponn
BENAULIM: As the monsoon season begins, traditional fishermen in Benaulim have reiterated their demand for a designated area to safely dock their country-made boats and store fishing equipment. They have appealed to the government to allocate 5,000 square metres from the 52,000 square metre plot belonging to the Fisheries Department at the defunct prawn hatchery site.
The fishermen cite rising sea levels and objections from private landowners as major obstacles to keeping their vessels along the coastline. “After receiving complaints, some of our boats were removed. Since our homes are located more than a kilometre from the beach, we lack a secure and convenient place to keep our boats during the rainy season,” said local fisherman Pele Fernandes.
With around 81 traditional boats operating from Benaulim, the available space near the shore is inadequate, the fishermen say. They argue that setting aside a fraction of the hatchery land would help preserve their livelihoods and ensure safety during the monsoon.
The community has also raised concerns over the Fisheries Department’s proposed plan to revive the shrimp hatchery under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). They fear such development could come at the expense of traditional fishing families.
“It’s unfortunate that the interests of private investors are being placed above those of the local fishing community, which has relied on this land for generations,” Fernandes added. He stressed that their request for less than 10 percent of the total land is both fair and necessary.
Fisheries officials have reportedly assured the fishermen that a joint site inspection will be conducted soon. The community remains hopeful that the government will consider their plea and act in favour of safeguarding their traditional way of life
