PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has stepped in over the issue of illegal use of equipment for bull-trawling, pair trawling or LED fishing and directed the Fisheries department and the Coastal Police to inspect fishing boats across jetties before they venture out after the lifting of the seasonal ban on August 1.
Taking up for hearing a public interest litigation in this respect, the High Court has also directed the State government to take stringent action in cases where these mechanised fishing boats are found violating the law and guidelines.
Noted environmental NGO Goa Foundation had in its petition sought a total and effective ban on LED lights fishing and alleged that half the number of registered mechanised trawlers in the State resort to LED light fishing.
The Fisheries Department has also been directed to explore expeditiously the process of acquiring additional surveillance crafts as it currently possesses only two boats for it.
The court has fixed the next hearing of the petition for September 17 and also listed as 'respondents' the fishermen's co-operatives which are operating the jetties at Betim, Chapora, Cutbona and Vasco, besides the two fishermen's bodies -- Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association and the All Goa Fishermen's Co-operative Association.
