Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has assured that issues raised by the Fishermen Forum will be resolved at the earliest. I met them (members of the All Goa Fishermen Forum). I will try to resolve the issues by January. The issues are minor and we can resolve the issues, he said on the sidelines of Mega Fish Festival inaugurated on Thursday. The Forum, at a press conference on Wednesday had demanded that Chief Minister also hold the Fisheries Portfolio as the present minister Vinod Palyekar was not doing justice to the portfolio. The Forum had alleged that the Fisheries Minister is being misguided by individuals with vested interests and alleged Palyekar never took stakeholders into confidence. The fishermen have been complaining about tax on fish export alleging that it is in the interest of a few individuals and not the entire Goan fishermen. The tax is to benefit non-Goan fishing mafia, the Forum member had alleged. TCP Minister and Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai supported his colleague Palyekar stating that the latter is taking decisions in the interest of the fishing activity and Goan fishermen. I support and fully endorse his decision on ban on LED fishing and bull trawling. This is to conserve the aquatic life and it is endorsed by the Central government. It will be extended all over the country I don’t find anything wrong in the step taken by our minister. This is one step where certain people are affected. This is a belated action to have a negative effect on the festival, he said adding, Certain vested interests are affected by the decision. Meanwhile, the four-day long Aqua Goa Mega Fish Festival was inaugurated by Governor Dr Mridula Sinha at Campal ground. Sinha lauded the efforts of the State government in promoting fish culture. Fisheries Minister Palyekar said the State intends to focus on upliftment of Goan fishermen to improve their socio-economic status. There were suggestions to take the festival at national level in order to promote the fish culture as Goa is famous for variety of fish. The aim of this festival is to encourage the youth to take up a career in the fishing industry. We will also try to create awareness about the illegal fishing practices in the state, Fisheries Secretary Govind Jaiswal said. The festival is coupled with music and cultural performances.