Team Herald
PANJIM: The traditional fishermen on Monday met officials of the Department of Fisheries, after receiving notices accusing them of engaging in illegal LED fishing within Goa’s territorial waters.
The fishermen denied the allegations and visited the department to clarify their stand. They urged the government to take strict action against the actual perpetrators and not target traditional fishing communities who depend on sustainable methods for their livelihood.
Former Minister and All Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (AGFBOA) Jose Philip D’Souza said that the Department of Fisheries had sent notices to some traditional fishermen stating that there are using LED for fishing. “The department has sent wrong notices.
The traditional fishermen and small boat owners do not use LED for fishing. I asked the Director of Fisheries, who told me that notices were sent for inquiry as they were suspected.”
Jose Philip demanded action against those trawlers indulging in LED fishing and bull trawling as per the High Court.