The Union government on Saturday banned bull trawling and prohibited LED lights and fish light attractors on mechanized fishing vessels, including motorized fishing crafts. “LED fishing will be banned along the Indian coastline from 0 to 200 nautical miles, with effect from today,” state fisheries minister Vinod Palyekar said in Margao. “Bull trawling, purse-seining and other practices will not be tolerated anymore, and to monitor the same, the coastal police will be instructed to inspect trawlers at jetties itself.” The order “prohibits fishing in the Indian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) beyond territorial waters by bull or pair trawling”. It was issued by the issued by the union ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare and department of animal husbandry, dairying, and fisheries. It also prohibited “the use or installation or operation of surface or submerged artificial lights/LED lights, fish light attractors, or any other light equipment with or without generator on a mechanized fishing vessel or motorized fishing craft for trawling, purse-seining and gill-netting operations in the Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters”. The order was issued following a request made by the government of Goa and fishermen’s organizations. “All maritime states and Union territories are advised to take necessary steps to prevent the use of LED light fishing within and beyond territorial waters,” the order read. Assistant commissioner of fisheries Sanjay Pande said that the department observed a rise in fish catch since bull-trawling and LED fishing commenced over a year ago. Until now, fishing trawlers using such methods were permitted to do so beyond the jurisdiction of the state fisheries department, that is, beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast. The central government order will be binding on all fishing vessels and their supporting, supply, and auxiliary vessels operating in the Indian EEZ. The Goa government had taken up this issue with the Union government, as this method of fishing was depleting marine resources. TCP minister Vijai Sardesai said said that the ban was necessary as otherwise there would be a fish famine as it has happened in South East Asia due to rampant bull trawling.