Canoe owners accused of using dual motors, GPS, and banned nets; fears of fish scarcity if illegality goes unchecked
A canoe spotted in the sea by the boat owners. (Right) Mechanised boat owners up in arms over illegal fishing activity during the breeding period.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
As the annual hunt for the prized solar shrimp begins in right earnest with motorised canoes starting fishing operations in some areas, mechanised boat owners on Saturday cried foul over the activity during the breeding period, fearing that failure to rein in illegal fishing may lead to fish scarcity.
After reports spoke about country-made motorised canoes venturing out in the sea emanated from the Colva-Velsao-Cansaulim coast, boat owners descended at Colva beach to protest against the fishing activity during the ban period.
While the boat owners urged the Fisheries officials to crack a whip against illegal fishing, they have expressed their willingness to capture the activity if the department allows them to use drone to track and monitoring illegal fishing.
Boat owner Harshad Dhond wondered how come there’s fishing in the sea when the ban remains in force till August 1 to facilitate breeding of fish during the ban period. “The motorised canoes are permitted to use only one motor for fishing, but they have gone out with two motors in violation of the High Court order. These vessels are fitted with GPS and fish nets in violation of the high Court order,” he said.
Saying that boat owners had complained to the control room to crack a whip against fishing in violation of the fishing ban, Dhond lamented that the control room has not taken cognisance of the violations. “Our immediate demand before the Fisheries Department is to take cognisance of the fish ban violations. If not, we will face fish scarcity throughout the season,” he said.
Another boat owner Antonio Fernandes demanded that the Fisheries Department should extend the pass system as well as safety precautionary measures such as life jackets to the motorised canoes as well. “This is one way to stop the illegal fishing activity during the ban period,” he added.
Cutbona-based boat owner Seby Cardozo asserted that the Fisheries Department should not allow fishing during the breeding period. “Today, the boat owners are come at the Colva beach since traditional canoes have gone out for fishing with banned fishing nets and with two motors. We have live footage of the illegal fishing activity. They are doing fishing with winches and in a mechanised manner. Hope the Fisheries Department takes strong cognisance of the fishing ban violations,” he said.
He added: “Our demand before the government is simple – the Fisheries Department should be strict along the entire Goa coast. The department seemed to have lost somewhere for the moment. We are concerned that fishing in violation of the ban during the breeding period will impact fish production.”
He said the boat owners are ready to use drones with the permission of the Fisheries Department to capture motorised canoes indulging in fishing in violations of the High Court order.
