the goan I network
VASCO
Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida on Monday claimed that several canoes have been carrying out fishing activity in the sea, despite orders from the fisheries department and appointment of fisheries officials to patrol Mormugao Taluka to stop illegal fishing during the fish-ban period.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Almeida also alleged that some fishermen had informed him that there was some “setting” with the Fisheries department and hence, there was no strict action by the Fisheries department despite a violation of the fishing ban.
“If the fishing ban is not implemented in totality, we will not have fish on our plates as we are killing fish during the breeding season,” said Almeida.
“There are a lot of violations like the size of the canoe and these violations have to be stopped immediately. Motors are permissible only up to 8 HP, but traditional fishermen use a 24 HP motor. Besides the violation on the size of the canoe, the nets used are so fine that even a mosquito cannot escape.”
“Today morning while I was on the beach, a fisherman openly told me that they have a setting with the fisheries department and hence, their fishing activities are deliberately ignored,” said Almeida.
“I wonder who is taking the money from fishermen in the fisheries department to ignore fishing ban violations.”
The Vasco MLA said he tried calling the director of fisheries but could not get through.
“Last year, I had contacted the fisheries minister and we must remember that last year someone had died in Baina while fishing during the ban period.” “This year, someone has died in Canacona. It is a sorry state of affairs that the department is not monitoring the ban,” said Almeida.
