Traditional fishermen from Colva, Velsao, and Benaulim have raised fresh allegations of harassment and bias, claiming police were called on them by large trawler owners amid ongoing disputes over illegal fishing practices. They expressed frustration with the Fisheries Department, accusing it of siding with powerful mechanised trawler operators instead of protecting the interests of small-scale, traditional fishing communities.
At the centre of their protest is the continued use of bull trawling and LED light fishing by large mechanised vessels—both practices specifically banned by the High Court for their destructive impact on marine ecosystems and fish stocks. According to traditional fishermen, enforcement has been weak: despite official inspections and a 2024 court-mandated survey that documented banned LED arrays on major trawlers, penalties have remained minimal, with fines too low to deter repeat offenders.
Fueling their anger is a belief that the Fisheries Department and local authorities are influenced by a “mafia” of large boat owners, whose economic and political connections ensure lax enforcement and ongoing ecological harm. Multiple memorandums and formal complaints by traditional fishing groups have largely gone unanswered, deepening mistrust and a sense of abandonment among coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on sustainable fishing.
In response, mechanised trawler owners have accused traditional fishermen of exploiting regulatory exemptions, such as the right to fish during the monsoon ban using small motorised canoes. They allege that some traditional fishers violate rules by using oversized engines and banned nets. This ongoing blame game highlights the deepening divide between mechanised and traditional sectors, each accusing the other of unfair practices and regulatory breaches.
Yet, for traditional fishing communities, the core issue remains: unless the government firmly enforces the High Court ban and adopts a fair, transparent fisheries policy, Goa’s centuries-old fishing heritage faces an uncertain future.