GRE General Secretary Olencio Simoes along with other members while addressing the media at Velsao on Thursday. Captured by : Vikram Nayak
VASCO
The Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) has claimed that fishing boats were still seen in the sea off the Velsao coast despite the fishing ban coming to force on Thursday and demanded action against those violating the ban.
Speaking to reporters at Velsao, GRE General Secretary Olencio Simoes said despite the ban being implemented from Thursday, two trawlers were seen fishing in the sea off the coast.
"We had taken a press conference and exposed all the rampant violations in the sea which may force us to take law in our hands and we have already seen fishing trawlers violating the ban on the first day itself,” said Simoes.
“We cannot allow our lives to be destroyed due to such illegalities that see no action from the fisheries department.
"The fisheries department has already released fishing boats from other states and even released boats indulging in LED fishing and we demand the fisheries minister to immediately take action on trawlers operating during fishing ban and suspend their licence," said Simoes.
GRE Vice President Camilo Souza said fishing trawlers could be visible from the Velsao shore.
"Why is the government silent on all the illegalities at sea despite the fishing ban already being implemented?
"The trawlers are also allegedly using small boats for LED fishing and in the process, will finish the traditional fishermen but the fisheries department and the fisheries minister are doing nothing about it.”
“The boats operating during fishing ban period must be seized and their licence must be terminated immediately," said Souza.
