7 mini-per seine boats found carrying out ‘illegal’ fishing near Siridao bay

NT NETWORK

PANAJI

Some traditional fishermen on Thursday caught seven mini-per seine boats which were allegedly carrying out fishing illegally near Siridao bay in the River Zuari.

As per the law in force, the trawlers and mini per seine boats are banned from carrying out fishing within five kilometers of the coast.

Upon learning about the alleged illegal fishing activities, the officials of the fisheries department and coastal police rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. The local MLA Francisco Silveira also reached the spot.

“Illegal fishing in river Zuari is nothing new. The traditional fisherman have been raising the issue of illegal activities in the river before the fisheries department but they have failed to address the issue,” said Silveira.

“As the department is failing to do its duty, the traditional fishermen on their own have managed to get hold of the culprits. The seven boats were from Vasco,” he added.

In the last 30 days, this is the second time that traditional fishermen have caught boats carrying out illegal fishing in the same area. On August 25, three mini-per seine boats were caught while carrying out illegal fishing, however, the department didn’t initiate any action claiming that the matter was resolved mutually between the traditional fishermen and the concerned boat owners.

Fisheries director Vinesh Arlenkar assured to initiate required action as per the law

Traditional fishermen mainly from Odxel, Cacra, Nauxi, Bambolim, Siridao and Curca whose livelihood  depends on fishing using small canoes along the coast of river have been continuously writing to the Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar and the department about the illegal fishing activity by the trawlers and mini-per seine boats, but it has not yielded the desired results.

The traditional fishermen are claiming that the illegal fishing is harming the ecological balance of the  River Zuari.