The state government should consult all 25 fishing unions and Goa’s fishermen before singing the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Mandovi, Zuari, Mapusa, Chapora, Sal and Cumbharjua rivers between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the Goa government and Mormugao Port Trust (MPT). All Goa Fishermen Union general secretary Olencio Simoes criticized the tripartite agreement, alleging that “Goa’s fishermen have not been taken into confidence despite being the natural stakeholders of the rivers and carrying out fishing activities for generations”. Nationalization of stretches of these rivers is likely to cause further destruction of Goa as almost 410-km long stretch will be dredged to bring in bigger size vessels for larger cargo. Annual dredging will be carried out to maintain the channel, which will occupy at least 280m out of 500-800m of rivers. Agnelo Rodrigues, president, All Goa Fishermen Union, said this will affect fishermen’s activities and may displace them in 47 inland fishing villages. The dredging will create disturbance to aquatic ecosystems. The soil deposits in any water-body have a certain pre-disposed composition. The Goan fishermen are planning to take up this matter with the central government and at the National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) at the 7th general assembly of World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) to be held at New Delhi from November 15 to 21, 2017.