PANJIM: Even after having credible information and clinching evidence against fishing trawlers and boats using LED lights the Fisheries Department has been sitting on the reports instead of acting against the violations.
The Coastal Police have confirmed that they have submitted almost 30 reports of strong suspicion of LED fishing violations by trawlers, but to date, no action has been initiated.
“We filed reports and pointed out violations that have been committed by the trawlers. The checking of trawlers and the reports were filed right at the onset of the fishing season,” said Santosh Desai, Deputy Superintendent of Coastal Police.
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar had a surprising take on this. He told Herald, “The Fisheries Department too is acting in the persuasion of reported violations. We take action, but the police need to coordinate with us.”
The minister however agreed that violations take place.
“At present, they are getting fish, but violations are when they don’t get fish” he said.
He also added that after a competent agency gives a technical certification for the use of the generator sets the Department will be enabled to take action. But there was no specific comment on action taken on 30 reports of violations.
Sources have suggested that almost 90 trawlers have been found with violations ranging from the banned use of LEDs, some were also found without having valid insurance, some were found without possession of the fishing pass, net licence, and seaworthy certificates also.
What’s even frightening is that during routine checks some of the crew did not even have ID cards or Aadhaar Cards with QR code onboard while engaged in fishing at sea, which poses a serious threat to the security of the state of Goa.
The Coastal Police of Betul had reportedly prepared a detailed report of the violations that were witnessed in their routine checking in as fishing season began.
There were 30 reports given to the Fisheries Department to initiate strict action as per the law against 90 fishing trawlers that were found to have been equipped with power generators in their engine deck and strongly suspected that the power generators are used for LED fishing.
But to date, no action has been initiated by the Fisheries Department, particularly against the owner of the fishing trawlers equipped with power generators and thereby by-passing the directions of Hon’ble High Court of Bombay at Goa Writ Petition No. 1611/2022 (F) in respect to the fishing by use of LED or light fishing in the State of Goa.
The violations continue despite the ban issued by the explicit Order issued by State and Central Governments.
Sources also revealed that even after repeated warnings and requests to the fishing trawlers they have continued to violate basic norms that are mandatory to conduct fishing boat businesses.
Claude Alvares of the Goa Foundation, the petitioner against LED fishing in Goa said, “This is impossible as the Director of Fisheries has said that there is no LED fishing happening. If this is happening, then this calls for a high-level inquiry into the matter. If there is a police report and no action is being taken then it is very serious.”
When, the DySP of Coastal Police, Santosh Desai, was asked if the Fisheries Department has responded after their complaints, he said that he has not received any communication to that effect.
Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott secretary Olencio Simoes has expressed strong reservations against the violation of High Court orders banning LED fishing.
“There has to be the strictest action against the officials involved in overlooking the violation. These unscrupulous practices are going to be a death knell for sustainable fishing,” said Simoes.
When the minister was asked if there was any pending action against an LED lights violator, Halarnkar said, “We have not found LED. If there is any violation found on any jetty the staff of Fisheries posted at that jetty will be suspended”, the minister said.
Minister Halarnkar said he has directed the Fisheries Department to take the help of any agency to get a certification of the generators that are on board the ships. “We will be able to take action only after that technical certification,” said the Minister.
