Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Goa Assembly today turned into a battleground over the state’s fishing sector, as rising fish prices, unchecked exports, and the splurge on a ₹4 crore Fish Festival drew sharp criticism from the Opposition. The debate culminated with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assuring that a policy to provide subsidised fish to Goans will be introduced within six months.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao led a scathing attack on the government, questioning how Goans were being priced out of their staple diet. “What model are we following? Catch the fish in Goa, export it elsewhere, and make Goans pay premium rates. Where’s the justice in that?” Alemao asked. He said the government was prioritising festivals over real benefits to the fishing community.
Facing the heat, CM Sawant defended the Fish Festival expenditure, calling it an initiative to promote Goan fishermen and their produce. “We are already extending subsidies to our fishermen. But I assure the House—we will soon frame a policy to provide fish at subsidised rates to Goans,” Sawant said, attempting to defuse the mounting pressure.
The Chief Minister also announced plans to introduce cold chain storage and fish quality testing labs in major fish markets, beginning with the SGPDA market in Fatorda. “The government alone cannot do this—we will involve other departments too,” he added. The suggestion was in response to demands from GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai, who warned that without cold storage infrastructure, exports would continue unchecked at the cost of local supply.
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar informed the House that the department is deploying drones, coastal police, and joint task forces to stamp out illegal LED fishing and bull trawling this season. “We’ve created a strong enforcement mechanism. We won’t allow these banned practices in Goan waters,” he said.
AAP MLA Venzy Viegas added another dimension to the debate, calling for the removal of middlemen from the fish trade. “Fishermen aren’t getting their due. Middlemen—mostly outsiders—are taking the profits. We need a common platform to connect fishermen directly with buyers,” he said.
While the government made promises of reform, the Opposition maintained that structural failures—not just enforcement—were choking Goa’s fisheries sector. The House echoed a growing sentiment from across the state: Goans are losing access to their own fish, while the industry thrives on exports and events.MLA Cruz Silva also raised concern in the House, stating that outsiders are taking over fish-selling jobs once held by traditional Goan fishermen in villages and towns.
