Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has asked the State government to submit plan of action to effectively enforce the ban on use of LED fishing lights on boats.
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The Division Bench of Justice M S Sonak and M S Jawalkar, in response to a petition filed by Joaquim Mendes has asked the Fisheries Department and Coast Guard to file response to the petition indicating the manner in which they propose to enforce their own orders dated May 10, 2016 and November 10, 2017.
“These orders, prima facie, ban fishing in the specified area by bull or pair trawling and the use or installation or operation of surface or submerged artificial lights/LED lights, fish light attractors or any other light equipment with or without generator or mechanised fishing vessel or motorised fishing craft for trawling, purse-seining and gill netting operation. The effect of these orders is that such operations, prima facie, stand banned, both within as well as beyond the territorial waters of India (in EEZ),” the Bench observed adding,
“Prima facie, it appears that such ban is in place. However, there appears to be difficulty in enforcing the ban. Therefore, the Director of Fisheries as well as the Coast Guard Authorities, to place on record the plan of action for effectively enforcing such ban in case, such ban, according to them, is in operation.”
The Bench further stated that if according to both the authorities such ban is in operation, then, it is expected that they take action to the best of their ability to enforce such ban.
“In particular, such authorities, should inspect the trawlers of the newly added respondents and see whether such lights have been affixed to their trawlers, or otherwise, such newly impleaded respondents are making use of such lights or undertake bull or pair trawling,” reads the order.
The court has adjourned the matter for next hearing on October 20, 2020.
