Herald: What are your reactions to the opposition from ramponkars against your use of LED lights?
Minguel Rodrigues: We are shocked to see the recent outbursts and blunt attacks on LED lights fishing by traditional canoe owners and ramponkars. ln utter ignorance, they have been pointing fingers and demanding the stoppage of LED lights fishing which they term as illegal. We are in the process of enlightening the government on LED lights on board our fishing vessels. Simultaneously we need to point out many of the gross illegalities that the ramponkars and canoe owners/operators are indulging in. Our methods are safe and there is no scientific study to back their claims. We are not causing any damage to the environment nor affecting any breeding sources of fish and not affecting the fish the canoe and smaller boats are in the market for. We need to use advanced fishing techniques to survive and compete in international waters that is outside Goan territory with purse seine trawler owners from other states.
Herald: But the Fisheries Department is saying that use of LED lights is banned along with night fishing?
Rodrigues: As far as use of LED lights for our mechanised vessels are concerned, considering that there is no ban in respect of night fishing in respect of the area beyond the ‘specified area’, the members of the society are not fishing within the specified area. Hence their activities would not be governed by the Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980 inasmuch as the government has thought it fit and rightly so to protect traditional fisherman up to the limit of 5 kms from the coastline and not beyond. Notwithstanding the above and considering that our society members are not fishing within the specified area, there is no violation of any statutory provision, rule/regulation and/or notification.
Herald: The government as per the assurances given to the group against the use of LED lights, seems firm in enforcing the ban. What will your actions in that case be?
Rodrigues: The society also demands that the government, if it is keen to enforce the ban on night fishing within the specified area, it will be revealed that none of the members of the society are engaging in any illegal activity and/or malpractice. The society members are firm in the belief that mechanised fishing boats from other States are venturing into Goan territorial waters with due licences/permits in the night and hence it is necessary to keep a strict vigil on vessels within the specified area as notified and within the Fisheries Department’s jurisdiction.
Herald: You have made allegations against the traditional canoe owners. Can you elaborate?
Rodrigues: There are so many violations. For example, canoes are supposed to be of 36 feet length but they’re in violation they are now having 40 to 50 feet. Canoes are supposed to be operated with ores and or 9.9 HP engines but they operate with even 25 HP motors. Some even use three motors at a time. Canoes are supposed to catch fish with ‘gill nets’ (Kantali, Magh & Daoher) but they pursening by installing winches and drums with ropes. Instead of gill nets they use 16 mm mesh nets and mono-filament nets, which is banned in most parts of the world. Mechanized fishing is not allowed within the specified area of 5 Km from the shore but canoes with high-speed outboard motors and trawling boats are freely fishing even within the specified area of 5kms from the shore. This is where fish breeding takes place. The mechanized canoes do not observe the fishing ban. Canoe owners get Rs 50,000 fuel subsidy per annum given by the government upon producing one canoe registration but many have active canoe registrations but have no canoes, and still the subsidy of Rs 50,000 is taken.
