MARGAO: Union Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala refused to condemn the use of LED lights in fishing but instead he said that there has been a demand from trawler owners to permit the use of LED lights and he said that the Centre is evaluating scientifically the impact of LED fishing both in national and international waters and only then will come to a conclusion.
The Minister was responding to queries from media persons in Margao after having met the fishing community in Vasco where the opposition to LED lights in Goa was conveyed to him.
The minister was asked to comment on the demand from the traditional fishing community and the fact that there is a ban on the use of LED equipment on boats by both the State and Central governments.
“There is a demand to permit LED fishing in the sea and the people who have made this demand, have claimed that it is a scientifically proven solution for fishing in the seas. The effects and impact of LED fishing will be scientifically evaluated and only after that I will come to a conclusion,” Rupala said.
He further said that the Union government will consider the demand for the use of LED lights for fishing after taking technical advice.
“We will also study practices followed in international waters and what is happening in national waters,” the minister said.
It may be recalled that large trawler owners had met the Goa Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar recently and had asked him to convey their demand to the Centre for permitting the use of LED fishing, to which Halarnkar had asked them to convey their demand to the Central government directly.
Meanwhile, taking cognisance of the dilapidated condition of fishing jetty at Kharewado, Vasco, Rupala directed the officials to take immediate action to rebuild the jetty.
The Union Minister met local fishermen and other stakeholders at various at Vasco and heard their grievances. He also assured to provide technical and infrastructure support for the upliftment of fishing sector.
