Goa Fisherfolk Demand Dedicated Fishing Zone from Morjim to Tiracol
In a significant development for coastal communities, the Pernem Fishermen's Association has made a formal demand for the declaration of a dedicated fishing zone along the scenic coastline stretching from Morjim to Tiracol in Goa's Mandrem constituency. This demand emerged from a high-level meeting of the association, where local fisherfolk expressed growing concerns about their traditional way of life being threatened by regulatory pressures and tourism expansion.
Seeking Permanent Protection from CRZ Regulations
The fisherfolk are seeking a permanent resolution to the recurring legal threats faced by their traditional dwelling units and storage huts under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules. Community representatives highlighted that while many ancestral homes have been converted into hotels and shops to support families through tourism, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has consistently placed local residents on the defensive regarding their traditional structures.
"The traditional huts and houses of our fisherfolk are being targeted under CRZ provisions even though they have existed for generations," stated association president Bhim Pednekar during the meeting. "These structures are not just buildings; they represent our cultural heritage and livelihood infrastructure that has sustained our community for centuries."
Legal Shield for Customary Coastal Rights
The fishing community is now advocating for a comprehensive legal framework that would recognize their customary rights over the shoreline, ensuring that tourism development does not displace the original custodians of the coast. This demand represents a crucial effort to balance economic development with the preservation of traditional livelihoods and cultural practices that have defined Goa's coastal identity for generations.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar has assured the community that the government will actively pursue their cause through legal channels. "We are committed to providing justice to our fisherfolk brethren," Arolkar affirmed. "During the drafting of the new Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), we will formally present these objections and work toward a solution that respects both environmental regulations and traditional rights."
Timing with Climate Resilient Village Project
The push for a dedicated fishing zone comes at a strategic moment, following the recent foundation stone laying ceremony for the Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Village (CRCFV) at Arambol. While the CRCFV project focuses primarily on infrastructure development and climate adaptation measures, the local demand for a fishing zone adds a crucial layer of legal tenure and recognition that could provide long-term security for fishing communities.
This dual approach—combining physical infrastructure projects with legal recognition of traditional rights—represents a comprehensive strategy to address the complex challenges facing Goa's coastal communities. Fisherfolk argue that without formal designation as a fishing zone, their access to traditional fishing grounds and their ability to maintain necessary shoreline structures remain vulnerable to regulatory challenges and competing development interests.
The association's demand highlights the ongoing tension between conservation regulations, tourism development, and traditional livelihoods in coastal regions. As Goa continues to navigate these competing priorities, the outcome of this initiative could establish important precedents for how India balances environmental protection with the rights of traditional coastal communities across the country's extensive shoreline.
