Arnala fishermen have alleged that a large cargo ship tore through three fishing nets deployed in the Arabian Sea, causing an estimated loss of ₹2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh. The incident was reported after the fishing boat Sant Antoni went into the deep sea during the current fishing season from the Vasai coast.
The fishermen said the nets had been spread using the traditional ‘kav’ fishing method when the cargo vessel approached along the same route. According to their account, the vessel passed through the area and damaged all three nets. Between 10 and 15 fibre floats attached to the nets were also carried away, adding to the claimed losses.
The affected fishermen said they attempted to alert the vessel after noticing it approaching. They alleged that the ship did not stop despite their warnings. They also said they tried to contact those on board after the incident but received no response. The identity of the cargo ship was not stated in the report, and no response from the vessel, port authorities or maritime agencies was included.
The Sant Antoni had travelled into the deep sea with its crew after the fishing season began along the Vasai-Virar coastline. The current season started on August 15, according to the report. Fishing activity in the area generally continues from August to May, with many crews spending several days at sea during each trip.
Fishing supports a large number of households in the coastal settlements of Vasai-Virar. The report identifies Arnala, Pachubandar, Naigaon Koliwada and Killabंदर as key fishing areas and says the region has more than 800 fishing boats. The fishermen in these settlements depend on access to coastal and offshore waters for their livelihoods.
The reported damage comes amid existing disruptions to fishing activity caused by cyclones, poor weather, changes in sea currents and unseasonal rainfall. Fishermen in the area have said that these conditions have prevented them from operating at full capacity in recent years. Damage to nets can create an additional financial burden because the equipment is essential for each fishing trip.
The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of fishing crews when commercial vessels pass through fishing areas. Social worker Ninad Patil said the consequences could have been more serious if the incident had occurred at night, according to the report. The fishermen are also concerned about the proposed Vadhavan port in Palghar and the possibility of increased cargo vessel movement in the area.
The report did not mention any official inquiry, compensation decision or confirmed action by maritime authorities. The immediate questions for the authorities are whether the vessel can be identified, whether the incident can be independently examined and what arrangements are in place to prevent conflicts between commercial shipping and local fishing activity.
