Fishermen from Mobor spotted Karnataka registered fishing trawlers fishing in Goan waters on Thursday.The fishermen have alleged that the fishing trawlers from Karnataka, which are registered in Karnataka, are indulging in unfair fishing practices. The Fisheries Department attempted to check on the claim but the rough weather stopped them from going any further. The Fisheries Department attempted to check on the claim but the rough weather stopped them from going any further.The fishermen and locals from Mobor shot a video of trawlers and boats allegedly from Malpai, Udupi District,fishing in Goan coastal waters.
As per the fishing regulations of Goa Daman and Diu, trawlers from other States are supposed to fish beyond 12 nautical miles but the fishermen pointed out that the boats are at a distance of just half a kilometer from the beach. The persons who noticed the same said that the boats were sweeping the ocean floor, which they say will not leave anything for the local fishermen, ramponnkar of Goa. They further have alleged that the government of Goa has not done anything for the conservation of the marine ecosystems or sustainable fishing and to save the traditional fishing business of Goans.
Fisherman named Jesus asked, “What is the Fisheries Department doing to avoid this? The fish which the small ramponnkar get will be taken away by these trawlers. The Director of Fisheries Shamila Monteiro said that after they were informed regarding the same, the Fisheries Department along with the Captain of Ports and Coastal Police attempted to do sea patrolling on the alleged locations. However, due to rough weather, they couldn’t go further. When asked about the veracity of the claim that these were Karnataka origin boats, she said that ‘these boats look to be Karnataka registered’.
When asked whether these boats drifted into Goan waters, she said that there is no information on that. “We will attempt sea patrolling jointly as soon as the weather is friendly,” said Shamila.
