Even as the government’s draft-Jetty policy made news for the wrong reasons on Tuesday, fishermen from Benaulim has raised many an eyebrow over the policy, but for a different reason — whether the Jetty policy would usurp the rights of the traditional fishermen in pursuing their traditional occupation. Months after the proposed floating jetty by Drishti was shot down by the local stakeholders including the fishermen and a starred resort, the government’s draft-jetty policy has indeed raised a host of questions amongst the traditional fishing community.
In fact, the fishermen have been trying to figure out whether the government has proposed the draft jetty policy after the endeavour from the private enterprise evoked strong opposition from the local fishing community.
Traditional fisherman Pele Fernandes has cautioned the government against imposing unwanted jetty projects against the wishes of the local stakeholders. “I do not know with what intention the draft-jetty policy is being kept in public domain. But, I know how the government through a private party had proposed to set up a floating jetty off Benaulim beach. These projects are not in the interest of the local stakeholders, including the fishing communities”, he said.
Pele added: “I want to convey a message to the government that they will not succeed if the Jetty policy is to bring the floating jetty through the backdoor and with official support. We will oppose the floating jetty tooth and nail”. That Drishti had proposed a floating jetty off Benaulim beach had become evident when members of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) descended at the Benaulim beach for an inspection without taking the local stakeholders into confidence.
The inspection was opposed by the traditional fishermen led by Pele as well as the starred resort, who conveyed to the GCZMA team that the local stakeholders are not in favour of the floating jetty. “We had told the inspection team that the floating jetty off the beach will affect the fishing community from puling the rampon and other fishing activities. We have also maintained that our brothers eking a livelihood on tourist taxis will be displaced from the livelihood if the tourists come to Benaulim via the boats from the airport”, Pele said.
Incidentally, the GCZMA team was convinced over the arguments advanced by the fishermen and the stakeholders and had told the project proponent to take the local stakeholders into confidence before taking the proposal forward.