Team Herald
PANJIM: The Directorate of Fisheries will establish a permanent independent Marine Enforcement Wing to act against violations including LED fishing and bull trawling by the fishing boats in Goan territorial waters.
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Director of Fisheries Dr Shamila Monteiro in her affidavit submitted to the High Court of Bombay at Goa, has stated that the proposed Marine Enforcement Wing will have 58 staff including the Superintendent of Fisheries, Police Inspector, Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), etc.
The matter is now under the government’s consideration even as the Court stated that it will go a long way in ensuring the effective implementation of laws and regulations relating to fisheries.
There are about 891 mechanised fishing boats, 1,790 motorised canoes and 290 non-motorised canoes registered with the fisheries department. In addition, the department has six landing centres/jetties and 32 fishing ramps. It also refers to approximately 2,900 fishing vessels in the State even the department states that the existing officers/staff find it challenging to implement the legal provisions or take action against violators.
In the affidavit, the Director of Fisheries has explained the proactive steps taken and also referred to the further steps that would be necessary to strengthen the infrastructure to enforce the ban on illegal fishing practices. The affidavit states that “In order to further enforce the ban on illegal fishing practices, a proposal has already been sent to the Government of India under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to sanction the purchase of five patrol vessels for the fishing department and seven patrol vessels for the Coastal Police to conduct patrols in the territorial waters of Goa. The Marine Enforcement Wing will work in coordination with the Police Department (Coastal Police).”
Commandant Avninder Singh Nanda, District Commander (Officiating), Unit Indian Coast Guard, Goa has filed an affidavit giving a list of 17 fishing boats that were found to be indulging in LED fishing.
The affidavit states that the Indian Coast Guard can only report the violations to the Directorate of Fisheries, but cannot take stringent action.
The Court has said at next date the State authorities must report action taken against 17 fishing boats intercepted by the Coast Guard indulging in LED fishing as violators were let off with a fine of 5,000 and there was no seizure record of the catch or the equipments. If the violators are to be let off with a paltry fine, then the implementation of ban would be a casualty.
The Director of Fisheries has been asked to file a further compliance report on all the above issues by November and posted the matter for further hearing on November 28.
The petitioners Goa Foundation and others have prayed for directions to the authorities to take action against LED fishing and bull trawling.
