the goan I network
VASCO
Fisheries Minister Vinoda Paliencar on Monday admitted that the fisheries department had insufficient manpower and equipment to curb rampant illegalities and fishing carried out during the 61-day fishing ban imposed in the state from June 1.
Paliencar was speaking to reporters along the sidelines of an inspection at Kharewado jetty.
Fishing boat and trawlers owners alleged that every year there was rampant violation by traditional fishermen who fish during the ban period in canoes, using the trawling and purse seine nets banned by HC.
“Earlier, those canoes found in violation of the fishing ban were pulled by department boats, but today we have neither equipment nor facilities to pull these violating canoes. We don’t have a Bosun (specialised boat driver) in the fisheries department, as the only Bosun has recently retired,” said Paliencar, adding, “We don’t have sufficient manpower to tackle these violations during the fishing ban.” “We will discuss with traditional fishermen and resolve the issue. We are trying to place police at landing centres. We will take precautionary measures,” Paliencar, however added.
Fishing trawler owners have threatened to start fishing during the fishing ban if violations were not curbed and canoes were found fishing using banned nets during the fish ban period.
“If the State government allows violation and use of purse seine nets on canoes during the ban period, it should allow us also on the same lines to continue with fishing activity,” said GFBOA member Sydney Furtado.
“Our members have told us that us if traditional fishermen start fishing, they too would start fishing activity,”
Furtado added.
