PANAJI
In a fresh escalation of the ongoing jurisdictional dispute between coastal States, the Maharashtra Fisheries Department on Friday detained two trawlers registered in Goa for allegedly operating in its territorial waters and for carrying banned LED fishing equipment.
Officials confirmed that the vessels were intercepted off the Maharashtra coast and seized for violating fishing regulations. The use of LED lights and certain gear has been prohibited due to their environmentally damaging impact, as they attract large quantities of fish indiscriminately, often depleting marine stocks.
One of the trawlers is reportedly owned by a ruling BJP legislator from Goa, though authorities have not officially disclosed the identity. The incident has sparked speculation that the move may be retaliatory, coming just days after Goa’s Fisheries Department had detained 10 trawlers from Maharashtra at Malpem for operating illegally in Goan waters.
Over the past few weeks, Goa has seized more than 15 vessels registered in Maharashtra and Karnataka, citing repeated violations of jurisdictional boundaries.
The back-and-forth actions have heightened tensions among fishing communities along the Konkan coast. Traditional fishermen’s associations have expressed concern that the dispute could disrupt livelihoods, especially during the peak fishing season.
Authorities in both States have defended their actions as necessary enforcement of territorial rights and conservation laws. However, the lack of coordination has underscored the need for a clearer framework to manage shared marine resources.
Fisheries officials in both Goa and Maharashtra have indicated that further enforcement will continue unless vessels strictly adhere to jurisdictional limits and fishing regulations.
The developments are expected to intensify calls for dialogue between the two governments to prevent escalation and safeguard the interests of coastal communities.
