Union minister for fisheries Parshottam Rupala on Friday said the Centre will scientifically evaluate the demand for lifting the ban on fishing with LEDs. “There is a demand to permit fishing by the use of LEDs in the sea. People supporting this demand have claimed that it is a scientifically proven solution for fishing in the seas,” Rupala said while addressing a press conference at Margao after an interaction with the fishing community and other stakeholders in the industry. He added, “The demand will be evaluated scientifically by considering international practices.” Fishing with LEDs is banned in Goa. Rupala, who is in Goa for the fifth phase of Sagar Parikrama, also held a meeting with fishermen at Vasco and Canacona on Friday.
During his interaction with the fishing community, Rupala stressed the need to link women from the community as well as those involved in small-scale fishing with exporters so that they can realise a good price for their catch. “While men are out in the sea fishing, the trade is handled by women. Connecting women through self-help groups to exporters will help them realise the proper price for their goods,” he said. He assured the fishing community that steps will be taken to meet the demand for providing storage facilities. Rupala advised the traditional fishermen and those involved in mechanised fishing to come together for the growth of the industry.
“Interests of both the sectors should be protected,” Rupala said. “The necessary changes will be made in government policies.” He emphasised the need to increase fishery production and productivity, both in inland and marine sectors. Earlier, fishing association representatives placed their demands before Rupala, which included VAT reimbursement at source and floating jetties at various places for reducing the maintenance costs of vessels. State minister for fisheries Nilkanth Halarnkar also spoke on the occasion. Sagar Parikrama is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at resolving the issues of fishermen and facilitating their economic uplift.