Nearly 600 canoes and fishing boats blocked the River Mandovi channel at Panaji and the Cutbona jetty at Betul, on Wednesday, in protest of the government’s failure to impose a ban on the use of light-emitting diodes (LED) while fishing. The state’s traditional fishermen claim to have been struggling for decent catches since the introduction of ‘unnatural’ fishing techniques. Those residing in communities between Pernem and Cansaulim anchored their boats in River Mandovi, while others followed suit in Cutbona. Over 100 boat owners and several other stakeholders gathered before the office of the state fisheries department in Panaji, demanding the resignation of fisheries director Shamila Monteiro, for her failure to act quickly. “When 90% of Goa’s fishermen have been opposing these methods of unnatural fishing, why is the department of fisheries taking so much time to act?” joint secretary, Goencho Ramporkarancho Ekvott (GRE), Olencio Simoes, asked, adding, “We are thus surrendering our canoes, nets and other equipment in front of the state government. If it can’t help us, it must adopt us.” Allegations of a coastal police officer assaulting one of the fishermen, Timappa Nayak, in the capital city, further angered the mob. “A coastal police officer asked me to move my canoe, but I refused. He then punched me in the stomach,” Nayak alleged. Demanding action against the coastal policeman, chairperson, Mandovi fisheries cooperative society, Menino Afonso, said, “We’re not here to fight. Our main concern is our livelihood. Why are the lawmakers attacking us instead of protecting us?” Amid the protest, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha spoke with the fisheries director and, while addressing the traditional fishermen later, requested that they permit the department a day’s time to implement a notification prohibiting ‘unnatural’ fishing. Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado said “Fishing with LED lights has been banned and a notification has been issued. High speed engines and bull trawling will not be allowed and strict action will be taken against the violators.” Assuring that non-compliant fishing boats would be taken off the seas, Monteiro said, “The government notification prohibiting bull trawling and use of LEDs in fishing was issued on Tuesday night. We will be able to take the help of the police and collectors to do the needful.” In South Goa, a strong police presence at the site ensured there was no law and order problem. Cutbona Boat Owners’ Union president Savio D’Silva, told TOI that as many as 500 fishing vessels, from Betul to Canacona, lay at the Cutbona jetty in a bid to demand stern action against fishing with LEDs. “This is not a token strike but an indefinite protest that will continue till stern action is taken against those using LEDs, high-speed engines and those indulging in bull trawling activity,” he added.
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