BMC offers Worli fishermen soft start to fishing activities

With the onset of monsoon just a month away, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) may allow fishermen from Worli Koliwada to venture out to sea for fishing. According to preliminary discussions between BMC, Mumbai Police and a fishermen association’s in Worli Koliwada, a maximum of five boats from each of the three jetties would be allowed to venture out to sea one at a time.

However, fishermen will not be allowed to sell their catch in the market. They can only dry and stock the fish to be sold later.

Alongside the five-boat daily limit, the BMC has put several conditions on the fishermen to maintain social distancing.

The Worli Koliwada Nakhwa Matsya Vyavasay Sahkari Society

confirmed that fishing is being allowed but the stock can only be sold during monsoon, but not before July. The Worli fishing community is yet to respond to the offer by BMC to allow five boats to sea daily.

An officer from Dadar police station, under which Worli Koliwada falls, said, “Under no scenario will permission for selling of fish be given, for now, considering there are containment zones in Worli Koliwada. BMC has agreed to allow fishing with several conditions, but the fishermen have not responded yet. Currently, no fishing activity is permitted.”

However, Nitesh Patil of the fishermen’s association, said, “We have two associations in this area and there are around 200 fishermen owning boats. If BMC limits the number of boats that can ply daily, everyone will not get a chance to fish. Starting June 1, there will be restrictions on venturing into the sea due to the onset of monsoon.”

Patil said that allowing only five boats per day from each jetty would cause internal fights among fishermen. “Several other conditions put by BMC, like only having two persons on fishing boats, are all impractical. One person is required to handle the engine; two are required to handle the fishing net.”

When contacted, Sharad Ughade, assistant municipal commissioner of BMC’S G South ward, was not available for comment. However, local Shiv Sena leader Sachin Ahir from Worli, said, “It is always better to start with something rather than starting everything at one go and risking lives. If we allow movement as we did earlier, there are chances of fresh cases.”