Pollutant in Sal destroys shellfish spawning ground
Destroyed shellfish seen washed on the shore at Betul, on Wednesday. (Inset) A fisherman displaying spoiled clams on his palms.
BY MICHAEL. FISHER I NT
PANAJI: Velim panchayat has received over 150 complaints wince March regarding some mysterious phenomenon that has totally destroyed the shellfish fauna in River Sal.
Over 250 traditional fishing families, especially from the areas of Bapsore and Ranglia in Betul say that their livelihood has come to an abrupt end due to some phenomenon destroying the flora and fauna in the Sal.
“After a gap of five years, shellfish had started to spawn again in the Sal river, bringing some joy to the traditional fishermen, and a catch would fetch us a daily income of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1, 500,” said a fisherman Babul, along with some other fishermen.
“It is a strange occurrence noticed for the first time in Goa. We suspect some kind of chemical poison that can totally destroy the full spawning ground of the shellfish, so much so that there is no shellfish production at all,” said president of the traditional fishermen association Prashant Gokarnekar. “We have filed a complaint with the Velim panchayat, which has said it would be taking action after the election,” he said.
“The pollutant has no smell, but it kills everything, even other fish,” said a fisherwoman, who would usually pick up her quota for the market. “Every morning we gather here hoping that this omen may disappear and the shellfish may start spawning again, which usually takes place at night. But sadly there is no shellfish,” she said and added that the pollution may have been caused by some elements as dredging has commenced at the mouth of Cutbona jetty, touted as one of the region’s main fishing hubs.
During the February gram sabha of Velim, locals had objected to a proposal of cleaning the Sal by JAICA, the Japanese agent, and the over-extended dredging of the river as both could affect the livelihood of the traditional fishermen. It was decided at the gram sabha to fix a date for a meeting to resolve this problem. However, around 15 days after the gram sabha, the breeding ground of the shellfish was totally destroyed, said fishermen.
The phenomenon started from the Cortalim waters and has now reached Betul. An inspection is urgently required as the fish catch in River Sal is depleting.
“We are in the process of calling on the Chief Minister, director of fisheries and the Goa State Pollution Control Board authorities,” said Velim panchayat president Mel win Sanchas. He said that the authorities must take serious note of this and come out with some grants like subsidies and financial assistance for the affected families. In a season, a traditional fisherman usually earns Rs. 1 lakh to 1.50 lakh.