Team Herald
MARGAO: The traditional fishing community in Cavelossim has raised serious concerns about declining fish stocks in the area.
Roy Barretto, representing the local fishing community, has attributed the issue to illegal fishing practices and poor planning by the Directorate of Fisheries in Panjim.
“There are no fish in the sea due to these unsustainable practices,” Barretto said, describing the situation as a "fish famine" that is fast approaching. He emphasised the difficulty of continuing traditional methods like Ramponn net fishing, stating, “It’s hard to cast the Ramponn net and not get rewarded; we can’t sustain livelihood security.”
Generations of families in Cavelossim and across the state have depended on fishing for their survival. Now, with fish populations dwindling, the livelihoods of these communities are at stake. Barretto is calling for urgent action to protect their future and ensure sustainable fishing practices that can support both the environment and the traditional fishing communities.