The South Goa fishing community and Water Sports Association have expressed their displeasure over the suspension of fishing activities and water sports in the district just as the tourism season is starting.A circular issued by Captain of Ports states that all water sports related activities including parasailing, scuba diving, boat ride, paragliding or any other island trips throughout Goa, along the beaches from North to South be stopped and has also suspended fishing in and around Betul to Grand Island up to 5 nautical miles from October 10 to 17 due to the BRICS summitReacting to the ban the South Goa fishing community expressed dissatisfaction as their business has come to a halt leading to huge losses. We will have to bear huge losses, when we are not even connected to BRICS. The government should provide some compensation to us during the ban period, said a traditional fisherman from Baina. Sources said that the fishing community from South Goa will get together and ask the government for compensation for the loss.All Goa Pursine Boat Association President Harish Dhond said, Malim jetty at Panjim will be fully functional, only the Betul port will remain closed during the BRICS summit. We have asked the government to transfer these trawlers and boats to other locations so that the livelihood is not affected.Another fisherman said, We completely oppose BRICS, no one cares about our livelihood, we will have no income during this period. Meanwhile, North Goa Water Sports Association President, Paul Silveira said most water sports operators run their business on loans and this being the tourist season, each operator is expected to lose around Rs 30,000 a day, which is a huge amount. We are not supporting BRICS as because of this we have to suffer losses, as we even have to pay for crew members from our pocket though we are not getting any income, Silveira said.Other water sports operators speaking to Herald sought to know why, when BRICS is only for two days, the ban is of eight days? Speaking to Herald, Captain James Braganza said CoP received directions from the government authorities not to permit the activities during the summit citing security reasons. We issued a notification and circulars that no fishing activity in South Goa and water sports activities in all of Goa will be permitted. We received this notification from the coastal security and the central government, Braganza said.Questioned whether casino boats will be operating he said this ban is only on the coastal belt and not in rivers.Earlier, the District Magistrate had prohibited operation of light or micro-light aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), short-range aerial vehicles, low flying objects such as para gliders, hang gliders, hot air balloons, para motors, aero models, air-borne video cameras or drones and similar objects.Similarly, the government also announced a ban on water sports and fishing activity along the coast and in the river close to the venue during the summit.
2016 @GOACOM