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FEARS OF FISHING COMMUNITY
* Fishing boats using LED lights draw bigger groups of fish which are caught with nets
* They catch juveniles along with the high priced fish
* Fish that fetch them big money are kept separate while the dead juveniles are dumped back into the water
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FISHERIES DEPT-SPEAK
* There is no such evidence or study conducted on the use of LED lights
* Locals are mostly just apprehensive of less catch if LED lights are installed
* Continuously patrolling with coastal police, will step up patrolling
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SEIGE IN
RIVER SAL
* Traditional fishermen and small boat owners laid a virtual siege in the river Sal throughout Wednesday
* Fishermen asserted they would not out till government implements order banning fishing with LED lights
* Pleas by the Fisheries Minister to lift the siege did not find favour with the agitating fishermen
>> See pg 3
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PANAJI: Fishermen from across North Goa blocked movement of traffic in River Mandovi and protested outside the Directorate of Fisheries against the use of LED lights during fishing. Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado on his part assured those gathered that patrolling would be implemented in strict measures.
Hundreds of fishermen parked their boats and trawlers along the river demanding that the department implement banning boats that use the harsh lighting to catch fish.
The department through its director Shamila Monteiro had on Tuesday issued an order to prohibit the use of LED lights. Through the Goa, Daman and Diu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980, the Government of Goa has prohibited, “Fishing in the specified area by bull or pair trawling. Use or installation of the fishing gears such as LED lights, fish light attractors or any other light equipment with or without generator, on mechanized fishing vessel or motorized fishing craft, for trawling, purse- seining or gill netting.”
The protest led by Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) as well as other trawler and fishing associations from across the state held placards and black flags against LED fishing.
According to Menino Afonso, chairman of the Mandovi Fishing Association, the department had not taken the issue seriously and had not undertaken strict implementation.
“It took them so many months to come out with a notification and we doubt whether or not it will implemented properly,” he said.
Speaking to media persons however, Monteiro said there was no such evidence or study conducted on the use of LED lights and that locals were only apprehensive of reduced catch.
“The locals are mostly just apprehensive of less catch if LED lights are installed. We are continuously patrolling with coastal police but their contention is that we don’t beyond 12 nautical miles,” she said adding that they would step up patrolling.
According to Sitakant Parab, president of the All Goa Fishing Boat Owners Union, purse- seining and gill netting types of fishing was using light from the LED to draw bigger catches.
Fishermen complained that fishing boats using LED lights would load themselves with a generator to run the lights, and use the lights under water as well as above it, to draw bigger groups of fishes which are then caught with the net.
“The problem is that they catch the juveniles along with the high priced fish. The fish that would fetch them money are kept separate while the dead juveniles are dumped back into the water. This is detrimental to the fish catch of other fishermen and will over several years cause a drastic reduction in the fish numbers in the state,” said Parab.
The department too assured that it was focused on conserving fish and to regulate fishing on a scientific basis and needed to protect the interest of different section of persons engaged in fishing especially those using traditional fishing crafts such as catamaran, country craft or canoe.
Lending support to the cause was Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha, whose late husband was the leading force behind the GRE. She like Furtado also assured locals that the order would be implemented in it full force from Thursday and to allow the department to do its work.
