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PANAJI
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Paliencar said there was little the department could do to curb the menace of LED fishing and bull trawling but said several ideas were in the pipeline.
“The government is clear about protecting the interests of the traditional fishermen but it is difficult when the activities that occur are not within the State jurisdiction. I have given clear instructions to the officials to crack down on LED fishing and bull trawling within the 12 nautical miles and work with the coast guards for beyond that area,” he said.
Paliencar also added that there had been no official complaints that were registered with the department but acknowledged the problem adding that the State’s annual catch had been reduced due to this. Department officials have estimated around 200 vessels are involved in LED fishing and bull trawling beyond the 12 nautical
miles mark.
As for the already existing fish, Paliencar said he would work on a policy to curb exports from the State. “Many have complained that there are good quality fish being caught in the State but is being exported. We will crackdown on these exports and make sure it is made available to the people in the
State first. If there is extra stock, then they can be
exported. We will work on this as a policy,” said
Paliencar.
As for subsidised fish, no time frame or date was given as to when plans of the fishing corporation would be implemented. The fisheries minister however did say the department would introduce four new mobile vans in addition to the existing five that sell subsidised fish to locals.
The corporation would work in the same way as that of the horticulture corporation, by acquiring fish from neighbouring states and selling it for half the market price.
