The Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to the Department of Fisheries, demanding that a ban be imposed on illegal LED fishing, which is destroying the fishing resources of the State and badly affecting the livelihood of traditional fishermen.
Later speaking to mediapersons, GRE general secretary Olencio Simoes said that they met Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar at his Colvale residence and the director of fisheries and submitted their representations to them. He sought to know how LED fishing was going on in the Goan waters when the matter was sub judice.
There were reports about illegal LED fishing in Goan waters on February 12, Olencio said, demanding to know what action has been taken against the vessel involved in the illegality.
Simoes also took pot-shots at those who turned a Nelson’s eye to the illegalities at the jetties. “The supervisors posted at the jetties across the State should be suspended as they had no fear of laws and the Court,” he said.
Simoes said that during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, he saw how the livelihood of traditional fishermen were destroyed due to rampant LED fishing there. He feared that the Goan traditional fishermen would meet the same fate if no measures were taken to stop illegal LED fishing.
The GRE general secretary alleged that the boats from neighbouring Malpe were entering into Goa waters and doing illegal LED fishing during night. He demanded that the department immediately conduct raids and seize these boats.
Simoes further said that the Goa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980 be amended and stringent fines be imposed on the violators.