MAPUSA
Stung by an avalanche of adverse reactions to the notification entailing licence for all forms of fishing including “sport” fishing, Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar said that the rules were meant only for those who are involved in deep sea fishing and Goans can continue with their favourite sport (that is to fish) in ponds, sluice-gates or even Mandovi River without tension.
Halarnkar also said that the set of rules which were recently notified was not a new set of regulations and that it existed since 1981.
For long line, multiple
hooks in sea
“The rules are for those who engage in fishing activity in the deep sea. It is for those involved in commercial fishing. It is meant for those who use a long line and multiple hooks in the sea to trap King Fish, Tuna and other big catch. Just like some people move with purse seine nets, there are others who roam with multiple hooks and fish in the deep sea. In Goa, it does not happen,” Halarnkar said while taking pains trying to explain the ramification of the notification.
However, a notification of fresh rules under the Goa Marine Fishing Regulation (seventh amendment) Rules 2023, issued by Director of Fisheries, Shamila Monteiro states that all nature of fishing, including fishing with line-and-hook for “sport” fishing, entails registration of equipment with a payment of a fee.
The notification does not say it’s only for deep sea fishing and on the contrary clearly states that registration and fees apply for “to fish with line and hook for sport” (lambari), “to fish with long lines” (poller) and traps.
According to Halarnkar, people who fish in the deep sea use a long fishing line with 100 to 200 hooks attached to it to reap a bumper harvest at one time.
“The notification targets this type of people. It is for those who use multiple hooks in the deep sea. The rules are meant for them. Nobody in Goa engages in this type of activity. It is not for common people who go fishing with a fishing rod or suspension net (cobblem) etc. It is not for those who are fishing in lakes, ponds or sluice-gates or even the Mandovi River,” he said.
He further said that there was nothing new in the notification as it dealt with the old set of rules which was in force decades back.
“This is not a new rule. It is there from before. The rule is of 1981. It’s just a follow up of the old rule. It is meant for those involved in commercial fishing,” he said.
The fisheries minister also said that Goans can engage in their favourite fishing sport with a fishing rod and there was no need to register the same with the department as mentioned in the notification.
He said fishermen need to register only to take the benefit of subsidy if any. He also said that the Central government had a housing scheme for the fishing community and for this purpose, registration was necessary.
“Ramponkars are registered because they need to be allotted space as per their number. Such ramponkars are registered in Baga, Taleigao, Caranzalem etc. It is not for those who go out with a fishing rod,” Harlarnkar reiterated.
Netizens react
Netizens condemned the government on the new set of rules after The Goan first broke the story – “Want to go fishing? Register your equipment first!” – which went viral on social media.
A netizen said: “What the hell is this???? Ata nuste goroupak sudaa registration and fee??? Who the hell is giving these anti-Goan ideas to BJP?? Gujarati special IAS officers who don’t eat fish and who don’t know what Goa is??? Shame on this tax pe tax sarkar.”
