Suraj Nandrekar
A quiet anxiety is spreading along Goa’s coastline, and this time it is not driven by storms or dwindling catch. Fishermen from Caranzalem have raised serious concerns about the safety of fish caught off local waters, following reports claiming the presence of heavy metals. What has unsettled the community most is not just the allegation itself, but the silence and ambiguity surrounding it.
On Tuesday, traditional fishermen met the Deputy Director of Fisheries seeking answers. Their demand was straightforward. They want Goa University and the National Institute of Oceanography to state clearly, within the next three days, whether fish caught off Caranzalem beach is safe for human consumption. For a community that lives off the sea, uncertainty is as damaging as a ban.
The concern has quickly travelled beyond the fishing community. Fish is a staple in Goan households. Any doubt over its safety inevitably triggers fear among consumers. Even unverified claims, when left unaddressed, can do lasting damage. Fishermen argue that rumours and half information can destroy trust built over generations.
For traditional fishermen, this issue strikes at the core of their survival. Daily sales depend entirely on consumer confidence. If buyers hesitate, the impact is immediate. Unsold fish means no income, wasted catch and mounting losses. Unlike larger commercial players, small scale fishermen do not have the buffer to absorb prolonged uncertainty.
What has added another layer to the controversy is the allegation that a powerful builder lobby is attempting to undermine and marginalise traditional fishing communities. Fishermen claim that environmental concerns are selectively amplified to weaken their presence along the coast, while large scale coastal development continues unchecked. Whether this accusation holds or not, it reflects a long standing mistrust between local communities and powerful economic interests.
The government’s response so far has been cautious. Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar has rightly pointed out that decisions cannot be based on viral videos or social media claims. He has stated that both NIO and Goa University are reputed institutions that regularly conduct scientific research. At the same time, he has clarified that no official report confirming the presence of heavy metals has reached him yet.
This cautious approach is understandable, but caution cannot become delay. In matters of public health and livelihoods, silence creates its own narrative. When scientific institutions do not communicate clearly, speculation fills the gap.
Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate’s intervention has highlighted this urgency. By stating that it is the responsibility of the Fisheries Department to clear fears and restore public confidence, he has acknowledged that perception matters as much as data. People need reassurance, not just assurances that reports will come eventually.
This episode underscores a larger problem. Scientific institutions often function in isolation from the public they are meant to inform. Research findings, when not communicated promptly and plainly, fail to serve their purpose. In this case, a simple, transparent statement on whether heavy metals are present, at what levels, and whether they pose any risk could prevent panic.
If contamination exists, the public deserves to know and corrective action must follow. If it does not, fishermen deserve an immediate and unequivocal clearance. Anything in between only prolongs uncertainty.
With livelihoods, public health and trust on the line, the ball is now firmly in the court of scientific agencies. Goa University and NIO must step forward, not weeks later but now, with facts and clarity. Transparency is not optional here. It is essential.
Until clear answers emerge, the shadow over Caranzalem’s fishing community will remain. And in that shadow, both fishermen and consumers will continue to pay the price for silence.
