MARGAO
Ramponkars and traditional fishermen along Salcete coastal belt are up in arms over illegal fishing by Karnataka fishing vessels close to the coast and the absence of mechanism to reign in on the violators.
While causing the outside vessels for indulging in bull trawling and fishing by high speed boats, in violations of the ban in force, they directed their ire at the Fisheries department and the State authorities for prohibiting them from venturing out in the sea because of weather warning, while turning a blind eye to the illegal activities of the outside fishing vessels.
A group of traditional fishermen from Benaulim and Cavelossim pointed out that bull trawling and fishing by speed boats will only affect the sustainability of fishing. They said that fish catch had dwindled this season, even as outside fishing vessels make hay in Goa’s territorial waters by fishing very close to the coast.
A traditional fishermen, Pele Fernandes told the media that he saw around 50-60 red coloured fishing vessels from Malpe fishing very close to the Benaulim coast. “I tried to venture out in the sea, but the crew members onboard the vessels sounded warnings. This should stop immediately otherwise the livelihoods of the traditional fishermen will be at stake,” he said.
Pele demanded that the State government and the Fisheries department should put in place a mechanism to reign in such violators. “When we call up the fisheries officials, they ask the fishermen to click photos of the vessels. By the time we take the photographs and send the same on whatsapp, much damage is already done. The coastal police and other agencies, including the Coast Guard should be on alert to intercept and punish them,” he demanded.
President of Niz Ramponkarnacho Ekvott Idel Barretto said bull trawling and fishing by speed boats, coupled with the fact that these vessels fish close to the coast, will only destroy the marine resources and livelihood of the traditional fishermen.
Cavelossim-based traditional fishermen, Jesus D’Costa said he saw the fleet of red coloured fishing boats fishing very close to the coast during his morning walk on Thursday. “As it is, the traditional fishermen have been reporting poor fish catch this season. We have not gone out for fishing with the rampons because of the poor catch. Bull trawling and fishing by speed boats will only kill our livelihood,” he said, while demanding action.
Another fishermen from Cavelossim Roy Barretto echoed similar sentiments, saying the authorities should put a mechanism in place to check fishing very close to the coast by fishing vessels.
