Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a significant development for the fishing community, the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) concluded its three-day general body meeting in Alibag, Maharashtra, hosted by the Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti (MMKS).
The meeting, attended by representatives from nine coastal states, saw Olencio Simoes re-elected for a second term as the General Secretary. Other key positions were also filled, with Ramkrishna Tandel taking on the role of Chairperson, Jackson Pollayll as Treasurer, and K.Allaya, Usmangani Shrerasiya, and Sesadamai as Vice-Chairpersons. K. Lakshmi was appointed as the Joint Secretary.
At the heart of the discussions was the impending construction of new ports in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, which is expected to severely impact small-scale fisheries.
General Secretary Olencio Simoes emphasized that these new ports pose a major threat to the livelihoods of workers across the country.
The NFF and its affiliated unions have demanded strict implementation of the ban on LED, bull trawling, and pair trawling.
Simoes highlighted that the Union government’s shift in focus from capture to culture fisheries over the last five budgets could displace approximately 2 crore fishers and marine workers. These workers have been crucial in providing food security through sustainable and affordable means, with nearly 4 million tonnes of fish harvested annually.
To protest the proposed Rs 76,200 crore all-weather deep-water port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra’s Palghar, which could displace around 10 lakh livelihoods, the NFF and MMKS organized a mega rally at Navegoan Ground in Alibag.
