MARGAO: Traditional Goan fishermen (ramponkars) were enraged to find high-speed fishing boats, allegedly from Malpe, Karnataka, moving within Goan territorial waters and slammed the State authorities for negligence.

A video of these boats in South Goa started to circulate amongst the fishing community who were annoyed that this issue has occurred yet again this fishing season, even though they have earlier raised this topic with the government on multiple occasions. Olencio Simoes of GRE said that the official found responsible for the negligence should be held in contempt of court.

The traditional ramponkars have been demanding that the movement of fishing boats from neighbouring States into Goan waters be stopped as it threatens their livelihood. “These non-Goan boats scoop out the majority of the fish available in the sea,” said a ramponkar.

The local fishermen have also warned of taking to the streets in protest if no action is taken against the Karnataka fisherfolk encroaching into their territory. It may be recalled that the Fisheries Department had given assurances of action against non-Goan fishing boats. However, the coastal police still do not have adequate equipment and fully-functioning boats of their own to respond to such incidents in time.