TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Fisheries Minister, Avertano Furtado said that the government has not taken any decision on extending the 45-day fishing ban, saying that a final decision will be taken by May-end after taking into account the views of the stakeholders.
“Though the government had proposed to extend the ban period from 45 to 75 days, there’s no final decision yet. We will take a call on the issue within the next three weeks,” he said.
Replying to a question, the Minister admitted that there’s no consensus on extension of the ban period amongst sections of the fishermen community, including the boat owners and the traditional fishermen.
“We are trying to evolve a consensus. Different stakeholders have different views on the issue. While some have welcomed the 75-day ban period, others have expressed serious reservations. There are others who want the ban period extended up to 60 days, while there are still others who want no change in the 45 day ban period,” Avertano added.
The Minister said the Director of Fisheries has received representations from various fishing stakeholders on the ban, adding that the government would take a call only after taking into account the submissions made by the stakeholders.
The proposal to extend the ban on fishing was mooted by Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar in his budget speech, in view of the decline in fish production in recent years. Though the proposal was welcomed by some sections of the boat owners, they, however, maintained that the ban ought to be uniform, including banning fishing by motorized canoes and outstation fishing vessels in the territorial waters of Goa.
