Fishermen in Benaulim are facing a growing crisis as rising sea levels have made it impossible to park their traditional fishing boats on the beach, forcing them to shift their vessels to nearby private land. The move has triggered a dispute with the landowner, who has lodged a formal complaint demanding the removal of the boats from his property.
The fishermen explained that beachside parking has long been a traditional practice, but the encroaching sea has left them with no safe space to store their boats. Now under pressure to vacate the private land, they are turning to the Fisheries Department for support.
“We are not doing this by choice. The sea is claiming more of the beach every year,” one fisherman said. “We’re requesting the government to intervene and help us before this situation worsens.”
The fishermen have formally urged the department to identify and allocate a dedicated area for boat storage to avoid further conflicts and ensure their livelihoods are protected. They have also called for a joint site inspection to assess the ground realities and provide immediate relief to those struggling due to the lack of proper facilities.
As coastal challenges continue to mount due to climate change, the issue highlights the urgent need for long-term planning and infrastructure support for traditional fishing communities in Goa.