The Goa government annually imposes a ban on deep-sea fishing from June 1 to July 31 during the monsoon season to protect fish during the peak breeding and spawning season. However, this year the southwest monsoon arrived nearly a month later than usual. While there were a few pre-monsoon showers in June, the actual rainy season began only in July.
Following the government's directive, fishermen have avoided venturing into deep waters and have confined their fishing activities to areas close to the shore. With the monsoon now expected to continue beyond August, the Fishermen's Association has rightly demanded an extension of the fishing ban. Over the past few days, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and repeated yellow and red weather alerts have made sea conditions hazardous.
In view of the delayed monsoon and the continuing rough weather, the government should revise and extend the deep-sea fishing ban by at least another month. Such a decision would help prevent accidents, protect the livelihoods of fishing communities, and ensure that only near-shore fishing is permitted until weather conditions improve.
RAJU RAMAMURTHY, Vasco
