TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Claiming that the six fishing vessels seized in Goan territorial waters on Thursday were engaged in bull trawling, agitated boat owners have demanded stern action against the erring boats from Mangalore and called for intensified patrolling along the coast.
Cutbona Boat Owners Union Vice President Roosevelt Alemao said the boat owners have made an appeal to Fisheries Director Dr Sharmila Monteiro to initiate stern action against the six fishing vessels and intensify patrolling along the coast. “We are certain that fishing boats from Malpe and Mangalore would again venture into Goan territorial waters after some days. We want the Coast guard and the local coastal police to assist us in the seizure of these vessels,” Alemao said. “Bull trawling destroys fish culture. If the illegal activity is not stopped on priority, these outside vessels would destroy the fish resources,” he said.
Cutbona Boat Owners Union President Seby Cardozo echoed similar views. “I had personally gone out into the sea on the coastal police interceptor and found the vessels resorting to bull trawling. This cannot be permitted in our waters. This only destroys the rich marine resources,” Seby said.
When contacted, Fisheries Director Dr Sharmila Monteiro said that the boats seized in yesterday’s operation have been detained at the Cutbona fishing jetty. She said the fish netted by the six fishing vessels will be auctioned at the Cutbona fishing jetty.
Replying to a question, Dr Monteiro said that her office had in the past written to her counterparts in Karnataka over fishing in Goan territorial waters. “We have been in touch over the phone over the seizure of the vessels and a written communiqué would again be sent to our counterparts immediately,” she said.
