MAPUSA
In a significant move aimed at protecting the interests of traditional fishing communities and safeguarding marine biodiversity, the State government has announced the deployment of drones to monitor and deter illegal fishing activities along the State’s coastline in the upcoming fishing season.
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar informed that the Fisheries Department has already engaged an agency to conduct a pilot project using drones for a period of two months.
The surveillance will be carried out along Goa's 105-km-long coastline, with an immediate focus on the 12-km stretch most affected by unauthorised fishing.
“In the coming season, we will use drones to monitor illegal fishing activities along our coastline. Very soon, we will issue a tender and appoint a dedicated agency for this task,” Halarnkar stated.
He emphasised that the initiative is a part of the government’s broader strategy to modernise fisheries management and strengthen enforcement.
The drones, equipped with high-resolution cameras and GPS tracking systems, have a surveillance range of up to 20 kms.
They will transmit real-time footage to monitoring centres, allowing authorities to respond swiftly and collect evidence against offenders. This footage can be used in court to prosecute violations under the Marine Fishing Regulation Act and related laws.
Illegal fishing practices such as LED fishing and encroachments by vessels from neighbouring States like Karnataka and Maharashtra have long troubled local fishermen in Goa.
These practices not only deplete fish stocks but also threaten the ecological balance of the coastal waters.
“We are committed to protecting the livelihood of our traditional fishermen. These drone-based patrols will help us ensure that fishing norms are strictly followed, and violators are brought to book,” the minister added.
The Fisheries Department is also exploring integration of drone surveillance with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to automatically detect unauthorised activity and alert enforcement teams.
This digital leap is expected to mark a new era of technology-driven marine governance in the State.
