PANAJI: The state government has urged the centre to enforce a ban on use of LED lights while fishing, citing threat to the marine ecology of Goa as the reason.
Fisheries minister Vinod Palyekar and fisheries secretary Govind Jaiswal, who is holding additional charge as fisheries director, along with deputy director Chandrakant Velip met with the central government in Delhi on Thursday to discuss the same.
"We have discussed the matter with the Union minister and he has given us a verbal assurance that LED fishing will be banned. We are now waiting for the written notification after which we will take this matter forward," said Jaiswal.
"There was a Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) report that indicated that there is no bad effect of LED fishing. As per their report, the government of India stated that beyond 12 nautical miles, fishermen can be allowed to fish using LED lights but the state can ban them within their jurisdiction," sources from the department said.
Thus, the department is powerless over the operations of LED fishermen beyond the limit of 12 nautical miles. While this may have provided some relief to the traditional fishermen who can fish within five nautical miles, they were not completely content with this order.
"Marine life is prevalent in the sea irrespective of nautical miles' restriction. Juvenile fish can be anywhere and fall into the trap of LED fishing vessels. This destructive gear should be banned in all waters, or else, the fish will get depleted," said Olencio Simoes, GRE general secretary.
Fisheries minister Vinod Palyekar and fisheries secretary Govind Jaiswal, who is holding additional charge as fisheries director, along with deputy director Chandrakant Velip met with the central government in Delhi on Thursday to discuss the same.
"We have discussed the matter with the Union minister and he has given us a verbal assurance that LED fishing will be banned. We are now waiting for the written notification after which we will take this matter forward," said Jaiswal.
"There was a Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) report that indicated that there is no bad effect of LED fishing. As per their report, the government of India stated that beyond 12 nautical miles, fishermen can be allowed to fish using LED lights but the state can ban them within their jurisdiction," sources from the department said.
Thus, the department is powerless over the operations of LED fishermen beyond the limit of 12 nautical miles. While this may have provided some relief to the traditional fishermen who can fish within five nautical miles, they were not completely content with this order.
"Marine life is prevalent in the sea irrespective of nautical miles' restriction. Juvenile fish can be anywhere and fall into the trap of LED fishing vessels. This destructive gear should be banned in all waters, or else, the fish will get depleted," said Olencio Simoes, GRE general secretary.
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