Fishing vessels from outside Goa were found operating close to the Salcete coastline.
MARGAO
Traditional fishermen from Colva have raised concerns over fishing vessels from Maharashtra and Karnataka operating close to the Goa coastline over the past three days.
They claimed that a fleet from Malwan, Maharashtra, was spotted fishing in the area two days ago, while boats from Karnataka were seen close to the coast a day later.
Fisherman Domingo Rodrigues lamented that while vessels from outside the State were catching tonnes of sardines and other fish, the Fisheries Department remained conspicuously absent.
He demanded that the department clarify whether outside fishing vessels are legally permitted to operate close to the Goa coast. If not, he questioned its inaction against them.
“Fisheries officials are quick to question traditional fishermen over the nets and motors they use. However, large vessels from other States enter the five-nautical-mile zone and plunder marine resources, leaving traditional fishermen high and dry,” he said.
He added that traditional fishermen depended on catches within five nautical miles of the coast, as their motorised canoes could not venture into deeper waters. They also had workers to support.
Recalling that traditional fishermen had seized a couple of outside fishing boats last season and handed them over to the department, Rodrigues said the vessels and their catch were subsequently allowed to leave.
