Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa has witnessed a massive shortfall in the fish production during the last fishing season in 2015-16 compared to the earlier year.
The fish production which was 1.14 lakh tonnes during the season July 2014-June 2015 crashed down to 96,189 tonnes for July 2015-June 2016.
The information was tabled on the floor of the House during ongoing Assembly Session by Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado.
The State witnessed drop in marine catch during 2015-16 but the fish production from inland waters went up. The data states that during 2014-15, 1.10 lakh tonnes of fish were caught from Sea which came down to 91,772 tons during 2015-16. On the other hand, the fish catch from Inland waters increased from 3723 tonnes (2014-15) to 4417 tonnes for 2015-16.
He said the main reason for the shortfall is due to the reduction in the catch of oil Sardines.
The MLA had expressed concern over use of LED lights by fishermen resulting in decline in fish catch.
Furtado said the department has requested Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) to carry out impact studies of LED on the fisheries resources.
He said order banning the use of LED lights in territorial waters of Goa has already been issued on May 12, 2016.
