VASCO: Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar said the Fisheries Department is not yet fully equipped to crackdown on violators during the fishing ban period.
He said the department has booked cases in this regard, but is unable to maintain a tight vigil on fishing ban violations as it lacks proper boats and crew.
Addressing media in Vasco, he said, “We are already taking action and whatever measures are needed to crack down on fishing ban violators, we will take. We have also booked cases in this regard but since we don’t have proper boat and crew to run the same, we are unable to keep tight vigil on fishing ban violations.”
The Fisheries Department recently notified the 61-day annual fishing ban from June 1 to July 31 to facilitate fish breeding during the season.
He said the boats in the possession of the Fisheries Department cannot be used to tow the fishing trawlers caught while carrying out illegal fishing. Similarly, the crew member, who was earlier operating the boat, has retired.
“We have already asked for a boat and have issued an advertisement to fill the post,” he added.
Palyekar had earlier assured that his department will intensify its crackdown on LED fishing and bull trawling.
Meanwhile, upset over the fisheries department’s inaction in cracking down on fishing ban violators, the fishermen from Khariwado have decided to pressurise the state government in cracking down on fishing ban violators.
On Monday, the members of Khariwado-based Goa Fishing Boat Owners’ Association (GFBOA) told the minister that either his department should initiate action against fishing ban violators or else it should not stop the association members from fishing during the ban period.
“We support annual fishing ban from June 1 to July 31 to facilitate fish breeding during the season but we cannot be quiet on the violations. We demand strict action from Fisheries Department on the violators. If violations continue even this year during fishing ban period, then we will carry out fishing activity and then the department should not hold us responsible by taking action against us,” a fishermen leader said at the fag-end of the crucial meeting between GFBOA members, Mormugao Port officials, fisheries department officials and others held at Khariwado jetty on Monday.
The meeting was chaired by Fisheries Minister, who had come to inspect the Khariwado Jetty and to listen to the grievances of the local fishermen.
