PANJIM: A total of 10 fishing vessels from the two adjoining States have been seized in the last two months for illegally fishing in Goa’s territorial waters.
Officials of the State Fisheries Department, who have been tirelessly conducting sea patrolling, have noticed that fishermen from Karnataka are the major violators.
As such, the department has written to its counterpart in Karnataka to take appropriate action in this matter and sensitise the fishermen to refrain from carrying out high speed fishing activities in territorial waters of Goa.
Deputy Director (Fisheries) Dr Smita Mazumdar told Herald that of the 10 vessels seized during this period, seven are from Karnataka while three are from Maharashtra. Of the total seized vessels, five have been released on paying penalty in the Court of Adjudicating Officer.
“The remaining four vessels are stationed at Fisheries Jetty and one at Cutbona Jetty. Proceedings against these violators are underway currently,” she said.
On Monday, November 29, the officials of Directorate of Fisheries through Department’s patrol vessel “Ave Maria 14” along with the Coastal Police impounded four fishing vessels hailing from neighboring States for illegal fishing in Goa’s territorial waters.
“One fishing trawler from Karnataka bearing registration number IND-KA-02-MM-2806 was caught off Vasco Bay and three fishing trawlers IND-MH-04-MM-4251, IND-MH-04-MM-3852 and IND-MH-04-MM-1445 from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra were caught at Aguada Bay. The vessels are presently impounded at Fisheries Jetty, Panjim,” reads information shared on Thursday evening.
Fish seized from these vessels were auctioned and fetched the government Rs 7,650.
In another instance, a Karnataka fishing vessel bearing registration number IND-KA-02-MM-4424 was intercepted at Talpona, Canacona by the officials of Directorate of Fisheries on November 30, 2021 along with the assistance of Coastal Police, Betul. The vessel was also impounded at Cutbona Jetty and fish seized from the vessel were auctioned at Rs 83,288.
