With the annual fishing ban set to end on July 31 and fishing operations scheduled to resume from August 1, fishing boats across Goa are making final preparations for the new season. However, the fishing community says it is entering the season amid labour shortages, pending subsidies, and unresolved infrastructure issues.

Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association President Jose Philip D'Souza said boat owners are not in a celebratory mood despite the lifting of the ban, citing an acute shortage of labour that could affect fishing operations.

He alleged that the state government has continued to ignore long-pending demands of the fishing community. According to D'Souza, the Kharewado jetty remains in a dilapidated condition despite repeated appeals for repairs, while subsidies due to fishermen and boat owners have remained pending for the last two years, placing financial strain on the sector.

Meanwhile, preparations are also in full swing at Cutbona Jetty in South Goa.

Trawlers Owners Association President Savio D'Silva said the fishing fleet is ready to sail, but many outstation labourers are yet to arrive. He added that unfavourable weather conditions remain a concern as fishermen prepare to venture into the sea.

Highlighting sanitation issues at the jetty, D'Silva said the society has proposed setting up a paid toilet facility to discourage open defecation and improve hygiene.

He also criticised the government over the recurring sand dune and silt accumulation at the Cutbona river mouth, alleging that authorities continue to issue annual desilting tenders instead of implementing a permanent solution. D'Silva further alleged that a minister has a vested interest in the desilting contracts, which is why a long-term solution has not been pursued.

Ahead of the reopening of the fishing season, the Urban Health Centre organised a health screening drive for migrant workers at Cutbona Jetty. Around 300 labourers underwent blood sample collection, while medical kits were distributed to every trawler to ensure preparedness for the new fishing season.

The fishing community has urged the government to address the labour shortage, improve jetty infrastructure, release pending subsidies, and implement long-term measures to support Goa's fishing industry.