PANAJI
In a scathing observation that exposed shortcomings in enforcing the ban on illegal LED fishing practices along Goa’s coastline, the High Court of Bombay at Goa noted that most of the speedboats or marine craft with the Goa Coastal Police are non-functional or not deployable for operations.
Delivering its verdict on a writ petition on Thursday, the Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes directed the State government to take immediate steps to plug this gap in enforcement by procuring interceptor boats and to place a status report on this issue by June 9, 2025.
“It is evident that most of the speed boats or marine craft with the Coastal Police are not in working condition,” the Bench noted, citing affidavits filed by the Home Department.
The Directorate of Fisheries has submitted that a proposal has been sent to the Central Government under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to sanction the purchase of five patrol vessels for the department and seven for the Coastal Police.
The Court was also informed that none of the nine interceptor boats earlier allotted to Goa by the Ministry of Home Affairs are currently operational and hence, condemned. In this regard, the Home Department has written letters dated March 8, 2024 and April 14, 2024 seeking the procurement of three additional interceptor boats and making arrangements for one existing craft in its possession.
“Considering that the Coastal Police has practically no operational interceptor boats, and rely on small craft which are unable to patrol the 100 nautical mile coastline of Goa, immediate steps shall be taken by the Goa Coastal Police and by the Government of Goa (Home Department), to ensure adequate numbers of interceptor boats are procured in the shortest possible time,” the HC ordered.
The writ petition filed by 11 fishermen had sought directions to the Director of Fisheries to cancel registration of fishing boats found operating in violation of the ban orders, and prohibit all mechanised fishing vessels from carrying LED lamps on board.
The Court has ordered the Director of Fisheries, who is the authorised officer under the Marine Fishing Regulation Act, to ensure strict enforcement of the ban on LED fishing, bull trawling and pair trawling, as per the Government of India’s Ban Order dated November 10, 2017. The Court said all powers under the Marine Act must be exercised to enforce the ban in letter and spirit, with support from the Goa Coastal Police and the Coast Guard wherever necessary.
Further, the Director of Fisheries and the Coastal Police have been asked to regularly inspect fishing vessels at all six fishing jetties in North and South Goa, as well as at private jetties, to verify whether the equipment carried aboard may be used for banned fishing practices. Detailed inspection records must be maintained, including permits and compliance with statutory requirements under the Merchant Shipping Act and Inland Vessels Act.
“If vessels are found non-compliant with statutory requirements, their registration under the relevant Acts shall be immediately suspended or revoked, along with cancellation of any fishing passes issued,” the Court ordered.
In a bid to encourage public participation in reporting illegal fishing activity, the Directorate of Fisheries and Coastal Police have also been directed to maintain a 24-hour helpline and email ID for receiving complaints.
On another front, the Court has called upon the Director General of the Coast Guard to ensure regular patrolling of the maritime zones, including aerial reconnaissance, to ensure no vessels engage in the banned practices. “All such measures, as it thinks fit, shall be used by the Director General, Coast Guard to enforce the ban,” reads the 63-page order.
The two enforcement agencies are also asked to cooperate fully with the Coast Guard and establish a communication protocol between the agencies for real-time sharing of vessel location data using the Vessel Tracking System (VTS).
Proposal for enforcement wing
Meanwhile, the Court was informed that the Directorate of Fisheries has proposed the creation of an enforcement wing of 58 personnel to patrol territorial waters and check illegal fishing. This wing is to function in close coordination with the Coastal Police. “The department shall ensure all measures are taken to recruit and train the personnel for the proposed enforcement wing and to operationalise the same at the earliest,” the Court directed.
Highlighting the need for sustained oversight, the High Court has directed that periodic reports on the status of enforcement be submitted every three months. The first compliance and action taken report is to be placed before the Court on September 2, 2025.
