NT NETWORK
Margao
In order to stop catching of large quantity of low valued, smaller size or juvenile fish, by mechanised fishing vessels across the state, the department of fisheries through a recent notification prohibits mechanised boat owners from the ‘specified area’.
“Large quantity of low valued and juvenile fish is being caught by mechanised fishing vessels in Goa. Fish is found killed and discarded in varying proportions. The juvenile fish of various species are also caught before they attain maturity and this severely affects the fish population in the state. This apart, the non-edible biota, which are vital to the existence of marine eco-system are caught extra in fishing operations. The government has considered the matter seriously since in the long run it may bring about a disaster in the fishing industry making it unsustainable and uneconomical. It is therefore decided to prohibit the catching of fish in the specified areas,’’ the January 7 notification said.
The areas upto 5 km from the coastline is marked as the specified areas and that mechanised fishing vessels are prohibited from fishing in these areas. Fishing sector in Goa contributes to nearly three percent of the state GDP.
“We have decided to take action on those mechanised boat owners who fish in the specified areas’ said an official from the department of fisheries on Monday.
The notification further stated that there is a need to protect the interest of different sections of people engaged in fishing, particularly those engaged in fishing using traditional fishing crafts such as catamaran, country craft or a canoe. There is also a need to conserve fish and to regulate fishing on a scientific basis and to maintain law and order in the sea.
The notification was issued under subsection of (1) and (2) of the section 4 of the Goa, Daman and Diu Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1980 (Act 3 of 1981).
However interestingly, the mechanised boat owners claim that they do not fish in the water within 5 km distance of the coastline. “The canoe owners are using additional motors to their boats and fish in the specified area, despite the fact that they are allowed to use only one motor. We are not involved in fishing in the specified area,’’ said Seby Cardozo, the general secretary of the All Goa Purse Seine boat owners
association.
A boat owner, Savio D’Silva alleged that the government notifications are issued many a times to help certain people in the fishing business and to harass others.
