Representative image.
PANAJI
Even as illegal LED fishing continues to harm Goa’s marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of traditional fishermen, the State government’s long-pending plan to set up a permanent, independent Marine Enforcement Wing under the Fisheries Department remains stalled. This is nearly three years after the government assured the High Court of Bombay at Goa that the wing would be established, and despite the court’s clear direction that it be set up “without much delay”.
The proposed enforcement wing was meant to act as a dedicated body to curb illegal fishing practices, especially the use of LED lights. It was expected to become operational before the 2023 fishing season. Although the proposal was first initiated in August 2022, delays in bureaucratic approvals and inter-departmental procedures have held up its implementation.
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Harlankar said the proposal is currently pending with the Finance Department. “The enforcement wing was supposed to be set up as early as possible after getting government approval. However, it has been pending for a long time. Once approval is granted, we will put it in place from the coming fishing season,” he said.
As per the original plan, the Marine Enforcement Wing was to have a staff strength of 58 personnel, including a Superintendent of Fisheries, Inspector of Police, Police Sub-Inspector and other supporting staff. Its main role was to monitor and stop the widespread use of LED lights in fishing.
The delay comes at a time when complaints of illegal LED fishing are increasing. Between June and December 2025, the State received 110 complaints related to LED fishing along the coast. Despite this, authorities are currently relying on just one 15-metre fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) boat to patrol Goa’s 105-km-long coastline.
In an affidavit filed before the High Court in September 2022, the State government informed the court of its decision to set up the enforcement wing, a move that was appreciated by the bench. The court had stressed the urgency of the issue and directed the government to make the wing operational at the earliest.
“Considering the present situation, we believe that establishing a permanent independent Marine Enforcement Wing, as proposed, will go a long way in ensuring effective implementation of fisheries laws and regulations,” the bench of Justices M S Sonak and Bharat Deshpande observed.
The court further noted that such a wing would help stop illegal activities carried out in a hidden manner and could also deal with other serious violations. It said the wing could address issues such as rampant illegal sand mining, which poses a major threat to rivers in the State, and ruled that it should be established without further delay.
