Team Herald
PORVORIM: Fishermen from other States found fishing in the territorial waters off Goa will be arrested and slapped with hefty fines, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday. Speaking to a delegation of traditional fishermen who met him at the Mantralaya at Porvorim, Sawant said he has issued directions to law enforcement authorities to arrest these fishermen, impose fines up to Rs 10 lakh and seize their boats.
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar and Fisheries Director Yashaswini B also attended the meeting. Traditional fishermen have been complaining about the loss to their livelihood and dwindling fish stocks due to the fishermen from Malpe, Karnataka, using methods like bull trawling.
Sawant assured the fishermen that strict action would be taken against illegal activities, with a directive for the department to coordinate closely with the Coastal Police.
Sawant added that several key issues and initiatives within the Department of Fisheries were discussed, such as the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, the rollout of Kisan Credit Cards for fishermen, the construction of a Sulabh toilet complex at Cutbona jetty, the continuation of the VAT subsidy scheme, and the upgradation of the Malim jetty.