Team Herald
MARGAO: A disturbing scene unfolded off Goa coast this weekend, as two large fishing vessels from Malpe, tied together with rope, encroached dangerously close to shore. This illegal bull trawling was filmed by Roy Barretto, a Cavelossim-based fisherman, during his routine fishing trip near Cabo de Rama.
He immediately recognised the telltale signs of this destructive fishing method banned by the government, further indicating that this illegal practice was widespread in the area.
“These boats come close to the coast to fish using illegal methods,” he explained.
He highlighted how dangerous and destructive this mode of fishing is, not just to the marine environment but also to the sustainability of Goa’s fishing industry. “Bull trawling destroys marine resources, and it’s banned by the government for a reason,” he emphasised.
Barretto also added that his proximity to the vessels allowed him to capture clear footage of their illegal activities, stressing that these boats routinely approach the coast, undeterred by the ban, to carry out such harmful practices.