Angry local fishermen seized a Maharshtra-based fishing trawler for allegedly indulging in LED fishing activities near Grande Island off the Baina coast in the wee hours of Tuesday.
The fishermen have asked the Fisheries Department to impound the gear and to impound the boat as a deterrent and warning for other violators.
A video went viral on social media showing a group of local fishermen from Hollant boarding the trawler and questioning the workers to produce valid paper, certification and permissions for using LED lights for fishing activity in Goan waters.
Sources said the trawler was then taken to Hollant area and the information was given to fisheries department to carry out an investigation into the incident with a demand to impound the gear used by the trawler.
Olencio Simoes of Goenchya Ramponkarancho Ekvott said the Fisheries Department must initiate stringent action in the incident.
“The ban on illegal gear for fishing by the Centre and the State is not being implemented even after High Court intervention. The LED fishing may have decreased but not stopped completely and the reduction in LED fishing activity has given a good catch of fish like mackerels and sardines, which were not available in plenty,” said Simoes.
