PANJIM: Claiming that the ban on LED fishing by the Union Government has improved the quality and quantity of fish available in the Goan fish markets, Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar said that fees will be imposed on fish exported outside the State.
Speaking to the media, Palyekar said the decision has been taken in order to get the best quality fish to Goans and that the fees will be levied at the State borders.
He also said the Goa, Daman and Diu Marine Fisheries Act will be amended so that fines can be imposed against the violators of the Act. He said that in the present Act the provision of penalty is not with officers, while the amendment will give powers to issue fines for all kind of violations.
“The draft amendment is being sent to the Law Department and after its clearance the same would be placed before the Legislative Assembly for necessary amendment,” the Minister said. He said the amendment will also give powers to the Police to issue fines in inland waters.
Palyekar said the department has issued 93 show cause notices to those found violating the norms of the Fishing Act while another 300 show cause notices would be issued shortly.
Department of Fisheries is also commencing an exercise called ‘Fishermen Dialogues’ from December 5 to know and understand the issues faced by the traditional fishermen community in the State.
“We will examine the difficulties and necessary steps will be taken for the welfare of the traditional fishermen community,” Palyekar said.
The exercise will commence on December 5 from Nerul-Bardez and on the same day the dialogues will held at Morjim-Pernem. On December 11 it will be in Agonda-Canacona and Caranzalem in Tiswadi. The minister said that a four-day fishing festival will start from Jan 27 in Panjim.
