In a setback to the fishing industry, there has been a sharp decline in the marine fish catch. A shortfall has been observed from 2015 to 2017. The state’s total fish production for 2015 was 1,08240 tonnes which dropped to 1,01053 tonnes in 2016. In 2017 (January to June) the marine fish catch stands at 48,453 tonnes. However, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is currently studying the impact of LED on the fisheries resources. Goa’s fishermen have continuously opposed the use the of LED lights by fishing trawlers on grounds that it is affecting the fish production. It may be recalled that there had been recent violent protests by fishermen and boat owners, who had blocked the River Mandovi. According to statistics available, there has been a massive decline in sardines from 57,270 tonnes in 2015 to 33,326 tonnes in 2016. However, in 2017 (January to June) the catch is just 18,154 tonnes. Similarly, prawns too have witnessed a significant drop from 9,012 tonnes in 2015 to 6,295 tonnes in 2016 to just 1,859 tonnes in 2017 (January to June). There has been a significant drop in ribbon fish catch from 966 tonnes in 2015 to 665 tonnes in 2016 to 346 tonnes in 2017 (January to June). The crab production too saw a drop from 1, 5678 tonnes in 2015 to 1,013 tonnes in 2016. In 2017, the crab production from January to June stands at 814 tonnes. However, according to the Fisheries Department, the fish catch has witnessed a drastic decline not only in Goa but other coastal states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala too. There are many reasons for the decline in the fish catch, which could be the deep sea effect and mainly the El Nino effect and other climatic changes. Other reasons can be the excessive fishing of juvenile fish. We have asked the CMFRI to conduct a study on the decline in catch, an official from the Fisheries Department informed. CMFRI scientists too attributed the sharp decline in fish catch due to various reasons including rising water temperatures, the El Nino effect and overexploitation while the catching of spawning stocks and algal bloom, which has also played a role in the declining trend. The institute too carried out a special review of the situation regarding the decline of sardine catch as it will affect the fishermen’s livelihood. The Fisheries Department too has requested CMFRI to carry out impact studies of LED on fisheries resources. Meanwhile, the trawler owners have said that the decline in fish catch specially sardines has also resulted in declining exports. There is definitely a decline in the sardine catch. The catch has been falling in the last few years and this has somehow impacted exports.