the goan I network
MARGAO
The new fishing season will kick-start from Wednesday, but a number of mechanised fishing vessels were spotted fishing close to the coast on Tuesday in violation of the 61 days ban on fishing, raising serious questions on the Fisheries department’s efficacy to enforce the ban imposed by the High Court.
Traditional fishermen from Benaulim cried foul over the presence of the mechanised boats very close to the coast, saying this is the time of the year when the small fishermen make a living on the fish netted in the sea. The fishermen suspect that the fishing boats have come from other parts of South Goa, not from Salcete, in violation of the ban.
The fishing ban officially remains in force till July 31 and the fishing vessels are permitted to venture out in the sea only from August 1. In fact, as per the High Court order, the taluka Mamlatdars have been made receivers of the fishing jetties, with directions to enforce the ban in both letter and spirit, by sealing the jetties and the diesel pumps located on the jetties.
A traditional fisher-woman from Benaulim Sandra Fernandes wondered how the mechanised fishing vessels had ventured out in the sea before the fishing ban could end on August 1. Moreover, she pointed out that the mechanised boats were fishing very close to the coast in violation of Marine Regulations and demanded that the fisheries department in particular and the government in general prosecute the owners who ventured out in violation of the ban. “How can they come close to the shore when the traditional fishermen earn a livelihood by netting the fishing with the canoes and the traditional fishing gear”, she demanded to know, while saying that the government should protect the interest of the traditional fishermen.
Another fisher-woman Nascimenta D’Costa echoed similar sentiments. She wondered how the mechanised boats could venture out and carry fishing activities without any fear of the law enforcing agencies. “The mechanised vessels can venture into the sea only after the 61-day ban ends. We were surprised to find the boats fishing close to the shore in violation of the marine regulations”, she said.
