Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: With the annual monsoon fishing ban set to end in a day’s time, fishing activity has intensified at the Kharewado Fishing Jetty in Vasco as boat owners prepare to resume operations after the two-month break.
Labourers were seen loading tonnes of ice into fishing vessels, workers carried fishing nets on board, while trawlers lined up for refuelling ahead of setting sail for the new fishing season.
While boat owners are hopeful of a good catch, they say the fishing industry continues to face serious challenges.
Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association President Jose Philip D’Souza said the sector is grappling with an acute shortage of labourers, making it difficult for many mechanised boats to operate at full capacity.
He also alleged that several government subsidies promised to fishermen have remained pending for the past two years, adding to the financial burden on boat owners already struggling with rising fuel, maintenance and labour costs.
D’Souza urged the government to release the pending subsidies without further delay, saying timely financial support is crucial to protect the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen and ensure the sustainability of Goa’s fishing industry.
Despite the concerns, optimism prevailed at Kharewado Jetty, with fishermen hoping the new season will bring a good catch and improved earnings after the annual conservation ban.
