Boat owners from Cutbona Jetty are furious with the State government for failing to resolve the issue of the sand bar at the mouth of the River Sal, which is preventing trawlers from venturing out into the sea even as the fishing season resumed three days ago. The boat owners took up this issue with the Captain of Ports and Velim MLA Cruz Silva while criticizing the Fisheries Department for not having taken up this issue sooner.
The CoP James Braganza stated that dredging work will be started at the earliest to open up the navigational channel that is blocking the sand bar. He added that machinery for the dredging could be sent either by sea or road and that the work should begin soon. Silva also said that suction pumps could be used to address this sand bar issue as a temporary measure to allow the boats that are stuck at the jetty to venture out.
Presently, only about ten to fifteen boats are able to head out into the sea and they can do so only during a particular time, during high tide, and when the weather conditions are favourable as well. There were also boats that tried to cross over into the sea but had to return to the jetty, keeping in mind the safety of their crew and the craft. The boat owners are hoping this issue will get resolved in two to three weeks, so they do not lose out on more of the bumper catches of fish expected soon after the fishing ban.
There was a prayer service held for the boat owners and crew, for the season ahead. Boat owners are also waiting on additional labourers to return from their native States as they are presently short on manpower.