Goa: Olencio Simoes - 09158875851

GRE held its first meeting in 1973 and registered in 1976 having its first President Joaquim Fernandes and General Secretary Matanhy Saldanha who formed GRE, eventually late Matanhy Saldanha pioneered and chaired the first meeting of National Fishworkers Forum in Chennai in 1976 which has now fifteen affiliated Unions across eleven coastal states and union territory of India. It has taken upon itself the task of protecting the life and livelihood of the fishing communities together with the fisheries resource base.

NFF, as a major partner has held the first meeting of World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) in 21st November 1997 in new Delhi which 23 countries are affiliated too which is now celebrate as "World Fisheries Day".

Several historic movements was organized by GRE, They are as follows:

1. Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) which included Ramponkars, Magkars, Cantaikars, Pagelkars and Arrikars, in other words, all the traditional fishermen of Goa. In 1976, GRE gave the first written memorandum to the then Chief Minister, Mrs. Shashikala Kakodka demanding ban in mechanised trawling and purseining in the coastal waters.
2. In 1976, GRE began the struggle, with a Chain Hunger Strike, held below the statue of Bandodkar, near Secretariat, Panaji-Goa, which lasted for 380 days. There was lot of debate in the Legislative Assembly,which led to law under the 1897 Act against the use of dynamites/explosives, rules were made to ban trawling and purseining within the depth of 5 fathoms, which was about two kilometres from the shore.
3. In 1978 led to ban in during monsoon season during 15th June to August 31st.
4. In 2016 agitation led to ban in use of destructive gears like Bull or pair trawling and use of LED lights equipped with or with generator in territorial waters .
5. In 2017 led to ban the use of of destructive gears like Bull or pair trawling and use of LED lights equipped with or with generator in Indian Exclusive Zone(EEZ) issued by Ministry of Agriculture & farmers welfare department of Animal Husbandry, dairying & fisheries.

Several such laws were enacted due to the intervention of GRE, since last 49 years GRE IS demanding that our rights be protected in the interest of our livelihood and the environment.