VASCO: Frustrated with the inaction of the Fisheries Department on marauding Malpe trawlers plundering fish in Goan waters, a traditional fisherman spoke in Hindi, because he said the Fisheries Director cannot understand Konkani.
Elaborating further about the problem which threatens their livelihood, Mendes reiterated that Malpe trawlers are plundering Goan coast. Both Maharashtra and Karnataka have a huge coastline. They are not allowed to fish in Malpe in coastal was, so them come here and plunder our fish, Mendes said. They use powerful motors, even if we chase them they return with bigger fleets, he said.
Meanwhile, Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott has reacted strongly to DIG Coast Guard S Paramesh’s statement that anybody is free to fish in any State’s waters. The DIG made this statement at a meeting called by Goa Fisheries Minister at the Secretariat, Porvorim where Coast Guard, Marine police and fisheries department officials met on Thursday.
Flagging a viral video, D’Souza said the coast guard is quoted as saying anyone can do fishing anywhere. Nothing is illegal. The Fisheries Minister should have told the Coast Guard that there a rules governing fishermen of various states, which the Coast Guard does not know.
We strongly condemn the statement of DIG Coast Guard, he has no right to interfere. Coastal police are supposed to guard the coast within 12 nautical miles. The jurisdiction of Coast Guard starts after that. There are restrictions for fishing trawlers and purse seiners. “Two hundred HP engines are allowed for fishing trawlers and 300 HP are allotted to the purse seiners. The boats from Malpe have 500 to 700 HP engines. Twenty five boats come at a time and plunder the fish within 12 nautical miles of the Goans coast even as they are banned,” Sirsaikar said.