Team Herald
PANJIM: Deputy Inspector General of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Manoj Bhatia on Thursday said that anyone from the country can come and fish within 12 nautical miles of Indian waters.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “There is nothing called illegal fishing. Illegal fishing is when fishermen from another country enter your territory or water. If a fisherman from Maharashtra is fishing in Goa then it will not be called an illegal fishing but if someone from another country comes to fish here then that is called illegal fishing. It is a state subject. As far as the Coast Guard is concerned, we respond to issues if any.”
Bhatia said, “The State has jurisdiction of 12 nautical miles and where fishermen from neighbouring states can come to fish and even Goan fishermen can freely go to other states for fishing. It is a matter of coordination between two states and the issue can be solved through dialogue,” Bhatia said.
He said State police will be provided additional boats to conduct patrolling along with Goan fishermen.
Bhatia however said that big vessels cannot be allowed in an area where traditional fishing is done. “Action is being initiated against the big vessels which are entering Goan waters. Earlier action was not taken as the coastal police did not have the required boats to do so,” he said.
Enforcement wing to keep an eye on cross
border fishing activities: Minister
Team Herald
PANJIM: Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar on Thursday said that an enforcement wing has been established to monitor cross border fishing activities.
Speaking to reporters after having a joint meeting with the officials of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Goa Coastal Security Police, he said, “ I had a meeting with the officials of ICG and State Coastal Police to discuss how the interest of traditional fishermen could be protected and those entering their area could be prevented.”
“The officials agreed to safeguard the interests of the traditional fishermen and have asked to provide them with required equipment,” Halarnkar said.
The minister said he had spoken to the Karnataka Fisheries Director over the issue over trawlers entering Goan waters and depriving local fishermen of their livelihood.
“The Kartnataka Fisheries Director has asked us to give the number of the boats and photos so that they could initiate action. The Karnataka government has already instructed fishermen not to enter Goan waters,” Halarnkar said.
Local fishermen have been raising concerns about the encroachment of trawlers from neighbouring States, particularly Malpe, Karnataka. Traditional fishermen claim that these incursions have significantly affected their livelihood, with Karnataka boats frequently spotted fishing near villages in South Goa.