PANJIM: With Goa’s Fisheries Department’s lone patrolling vessel out of order, the government has initiated the process to hire fishing trawlers for patrolling and coastal security exercises.
This is embarrassing because the minister himself states that hired fishing trawlers will be used when security exercises like Sagar Kavach where different coastal security agencies come together, will take place.
“The department’s patrolling vessel has broken down. We will be hiring fishing trawlers mainly for security exercises like Sagar Kavach where different coastal security agencies come together. It will be for a short period of time,” he said.
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar confirmed that his department has issued a notice inviting tender for fishing trawlers. The question is, why doesn’t Goa repair its defunct trawler and/or have more trawlers.
Halarnkar said that trawlers will also be used for patrolling by the Department’s Enforcement Wing to check illegal fishing in both the districts at least till the department’s vessel is repaired and made operational.
The department is facing severe criticism from the traditional fishermen for failing to crack down on alleged illegal fishing in River Zuari.
