The Cutbona jetty is buzzing again as the 61-day fishing ban comes to an end at the stroke of midnight on July 31. Labourers were seen cleaning trawlers, loading nets, and some even offering special prayers ahead of the new fishing season. However, 60% of the migrant labourer workforce is yet to return from their home towns. Cutbona Boat Owners’ Development Society president Savio D’Silva said around 40% of the work force has returned and the remaining are expected soon. Other than the weather, trawler owners have to also deal with sandbars that form at the mouth of the river where it meets the sea making it difficult to manoeuvre the vessel. During the past few days traditional fishermen along Salcete and Mormugao have netted sizeable quantities of solar shrimps.
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