MARGAO
The Congress party has demanded strict against the Karnataka fishing vessels operating within the territorial waters of the state.
Addressing the media, Congress leader Olencio Simoes questioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is also the home minister, whether his department like the coastal police is not aware of the illegal fishing within the territorial waters of Goa. He stated "it is the duty of the coastal police to keep continuous vigil on our territorial waters as these illegal boats can also be carrying illegal goods like drug, weapons etc. which could be threat to the state of Goa."
“These vessels from Karnataka not only fish inside the territorial waters of the state, but also adopt the banned bull trawling and use the banned destructive gears. “We want sustainable fishing, which can provide fish to the Goans and help the fishermen eke a livelihood”, he added.
Devsurabhee Yaduvanshi, State Leadership Development Coordinator of All India Unorganised Workers Congress, stated "Government of Goa is hell bent on destroying the livelihoods of Goan fisherman. They have played a sick joke by providing a sum of Rs 5,000 as a one-time Covid settlement to the unorganised sector. They have allowed Malphe boats to fish in our territorial waters, effectively destroying our fishermen's chance of earning a decent livelihood”.
