PANJIM: Various traditional fishermen associations from Goa and Karnataka have demanded a ban on illegal ‘bull trawling’ fishing carried out by Karnataka-based Malpe trawlers and also for a ban on ‘LED light’ fishing being carried out in Goa and Karnataka territorial waters.
A warning was also issued to the State government that action would be taken against Goan boats found in Karnataka waters if they fail to stop such activities.
The associations handed over a charter of demands to the Goa Fisheries Department on Wednesday and copies were sent to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala.
The traditional fishermen associations were accompanied by the National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) and Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE).
Addressing media persons, NFF vice chairperson Olencio Simoes explained that from Bhatkal in Karnataka to Arambol in Goa, traditional fishermen have come on a common platform.
“We have demanded strict action against destructive gears like bull or pair trawling and the use of LED lights equipped with or with generators,” Simoes said and added that unchecked misuse of such gears has adversely hampered the livelihoods of the traditional fishermen of the two States.
Simoes also pointed out that these gears have been banned in the territorial waters and Indian Exclusive Zone (EEZ) since 2016 but violations continue.
GRE president Agnelo Rodrigues slammed the State Fisheries Minister and Director for failing to execute the ban on such destructive technology as a result of which, traditional fishermen from the two states have to return home empty handed.
Rodrigues pointed out that trawlers from Malpe in Karnataka continuously enter the territorial waters of Goa as well as Karnataka using high speed engines and scoop all the fishing catch using illegal bull trawling methods.
“It is an utter shame that even after the local fishermen have caught these illegal boats and brought this to the notice of the Fisheries Department, still these boats are conducting fishing without fear of law,” Rodrigues said.
Devraj Sail, the President of the Karnataka-based MMSYMNS demanded strict action on Goans who allegedly use boats that have high powered engines that are above 500 HP and operate with alleged illegal gears in the territorial waters of Goa and Karnataka.
“If the State of Goa fails to take action then we will be forced to take action against all Goan boats who are doing LED light fishing in Karnataka and also block the Goa-Karnataka border at Polem,” Devraj said.
