PANJIM: It is absolutely shocking how the illegal LED-laden fishing trawlers are destroying the fish catch and substantially reducing the fish catch for traditional fishermen, under the very nose of the Department of Fisheries.
As O Heraldo has reported, Goa Foundation submitted this report prepared by the Goa Shipyard Limited before the High Court on Thursday.
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The report prepared in January 2024, states that out of the 16 vessels inspected by the Goa Shipyard Limited, at Cutbona, Malim and Vasco jetties, 14 were found to be equipped with generator sets and LED lights.
Reacting strongly to this news, Olencio Simoes, General Secretary of Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott, said, “The GSL report clearly states that 16 boats were inspected. Out of that 14 boats were using gensets and LED lights. Why has the Director of Fisheries not taken action against the 14 boats till now? Secondly, it is clear that earlier they were using gensets of 40 KV now they have crossed 150 KV. These are needed only to power heavy bulbs of 1,000 volts.”
“With this, the tall claims of the Fisheries Department have been exposed by GSL. This proves that the department is hand-in-glove with LED light operators. Govt has to take firm and urgent actions against this,” Simoes said.
Fisherman Camilo D’Souza said it is impossible to buy the excuse that the gensets are used to run the boat in case the engine fails. “The Fisheries Director is also involved in this. The genset is only used for LED fishing. Government wants to fool the small fishermen. Government is responsible for the decline in fish catch. Secondly, 200 to 300 Malpem trawlers come and clean out the fish from Goan waters and leave. Government should stop LED fishing and also stop the Malpem trawlers from coming into Goan waters immediately,” D’Souza reiterated.
Adv Om D’Costa, who represented Goa Foundation, told O Heraldo, “Since the respondent advocate wanted time to study the affidavit, the matter has been posted for Tuesday, at 2.30 pm. We as petitioners submitted a chart to the Court prepared by GSL, where it was shown that many boats were using LED lights and did not have safety equipment. We have submitted all this. So the matter is posted for Tuesday.”
