Ensure availability of affordable and fresh fish in Goa, open fish markets

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Margao- Considering skyrocketing prices and shortage of fish in Goa, the GPCC President Girish Chodankar urged Chief minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to give Directives to the Directorate of Fisheries and concern authorities to ensure that those availing subsidies from Government of Goa should stop exporting and selling fish outside Goa immediately. Chodankar further said nearly 40% to 45% of Goan fish catch is exported every year and Goans are left to consume left over fish at very high prices. If our money is used for subsidies we should get first preference to choose fish said Chodankar.

The Government should also keep the Fish Markets open maintaining Social Distancing and hygeine instead of letting fly by night fish traders fleece the public.

Fishing industry in Goa, has an annual catch of nearly 1,00,000 tonnes, surprisingly Goans have been deprived of quality and affordable fish despite Goa Government is giving subsidies on Fuel, nets, insulated boxes etc to the tune of Rs. 108 Cr annually. Goans don’t get quality fish for consumption since around 40% -45% of fish is exported while we import certain fish from other states.

Government has to also study and act on the declining fish catch in Goa and should assist the industry to overcome this problem Chodankar urged.

Chodankar also urged the CM to direct the health officials to get all 30 ferry boats in Goa ferrying hundreds of passengers everyday and also provide safety kits to the staff employed on Ferry Boats as they cannot maintain social distancing while on duty and are exposed to hundreds of passengers every day. They feel completely insecured with Government not responding to their demands.

I am happy that most of the newly imported ministers and MLA’s have woken up from their slumber after Congress Party leaders sent data to Prime Minister on stranded Seafarers and are now trying to sending messages to people on Social Media.

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