MARGAO
Traditional fishermen cried foul on Saturday after a large fleet of fishing boats from Malpei in neighbouring Karnataka carried out fishing very close to the Goan coast.
The local fishermen tried to chase the big fishing vessels and captured the fishing activity just a few metres away from the coast. They wondered why the government is not interested in protecting the marine resources and the livelihood of traditional fishermen.
Benaulim-based fisherman Pele Fernandes said he called up Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Harlarnkar after the Malpei boats entered very close to the Goan coast, but he said that the government would put a system in place from Monday. “When I called up the Fisheries Minister, he said the patrol boat and the manpower will be in place from Monday. I hope that the government protects the interests of the traditional fishermen,” Pele said.
The large fishing vessels from the neighbouring states have been accused by the local fishermen for indulging in the banned fishing methods, including LED and bull trawling. “These fishing boats from outside the State are involved in bull trawling and fishing with LED lights. The government should help the fishermen by stopping these boats from indulging in illegal fishing activities,” Pele said.
In the past, traditional fishermen, including Pele had provided water sport boats to drive away fishing boats from Malpei in the absence of government’s men and machinery to stop the illegal fishing activities in Goan waters.
