Fisheries Department holds meeting with stakeholders on LED fishing, bull trawling

MARGAO: Fisheries Department held a meeting on Monday with fishermen associations, trawler owners, marine police, coast guards and others over the issue of LED fishing, bull trawling etc as per the directions of the Bombay High Court at Goa. 

The department emphasised that they had tightened the noose around those indulging in such banned practices and reiterated that as per the prevailing guidelines, no boat can venture into the sea without it being inspected by their personnel. 

The department officials also pointed out that fishing vessels have been asked to obtain a fishing licence and fishing passes and only then can they fill their vessels with diesel to venture out into the sea for fishing.  

Responding to queries, the officials said since the order of the HC, one case was registered against one vessel owner for using LED lights for fishing.

It may be recalled that Goa Foundation (GF) had filed a petition before the HC on the grounds that 400 of the 800 odd fishing boats were indulging in banned practices which are detrimental to marine ecosystem.

Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, GF Director Claude Alvares said, “A 24×7 helpline number has been set up by the fisheries department on 0832-2425263 to receive complaints about LED fishing and other banned practices. However all the 12 boats procured by Marine Police after the 9/11 terrorist attack for coastal surveillance are damaged.”  

Earlier at the meeting, the marine police informed that Rs 1.5 crore will be needed to repair the boats and that Rs 5 crore will be needed to buy new boats.

Furthermore, various members of small fishing and traditional fishing associations as well as Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) submitted a memorandum to the Fisheries Department and conveyed their demands including the withdrawal of permissions to private jetties.  They accused the Fisheries Department of being hand in glove with the errant trawler owners who are violating the guidelines and using banned items like LED lights and equipment for bull trawling. They elaborated on the damage to the environment and their livelihoods due to the use of banned items.