Goa trawlers stop work, state in fish shortage

Panaji: Goa is staring at a severe fish shortage as the strike by owners of fishing trawlers to protest the hike in diesel prices by the Central government entered the third day today. Over 1,200 trawlers (mechanised fishing boats) in the state are anchored since Saturday. All Goa Fishermen’s Federation president John Mendes said the fish markets too would be closed on Tuesday, as a part of the protest. “Diesel is an important component for the fishing business. The fishing business is already running on minimal profits. If there is extra expense on diesel, then we will be making losses,” Mendes said. After mining and tourism, fishing is the third largest economic activity in the state. Fish is also a staple food for many Goans. Mendes said a delegation of trawler owners will meet Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in Delhi on Tuesday, seeking his intervention. “The Centre should roll back the hike,” he said, adding that trawler owners from neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka had also joined hands in the protest. Meanwhile, the fish prices are rising fast. Prawn price, for instance, has gone up to Rs 500 per kg in three days, from the usual Rs 300 per kg, market sources said. According to Mendes, 95 percent of the fish that lands in the market is sourced by trawlers. PTI