PANJIM: In an absolute mockery of the ban on the use of LED lights on fishing vessels, a court-directed inspection report by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has exposed rampant and almost criminal violations by fishing vessels at Cutbona, Malim and Vasco. In all, 16 such vessels were inspected.
During the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by the Goa Foundation seeking for ban on LED fishing in deep sea citing environmental concerns, the Goa Foundation which received a copy of the GSL report submitted that of the 16 fishing boats inspected across three fishing jetties, 14 were found equipped with generator sets and LED lights.
The inspection report is dated January 24, 2024, ‘submitted by Goa Shipyard Ltd’.
It is unknown what the date of submission was, but it is assumed that it was soon after the inspection. However, it took six more months till the report was almost extracted from the department, due to the consistent efforts of the petitioner Goa Foundation and the High Court’s watch (see box).
The report is shocking and underlined how Goa’s fishing sector has been hijacked by illegal LED-laden vessels, who are destroying our fish catch and knocking traditional fisherfolk out of business, under the watch of the Fisheries Department.
These are mechanised vessels whose activities harm traditional fishermen who have been fighting to stop the illegal activity.
Fourteen of the 16 vessels inspected had the banned LED lights. These same vessels had DG sets, belying the excuse that was given by such vessels that DG sets were needed for other activities like powering their boats.
With 15 of the 16 boats having DG sets, it is a clear indication that these were used to power LED lights.
Not a single vessel has licensed boat operators: So all are illegal
These vessels obviously using banned LED lights to fish on Goan waters and suck out fish are without licenced boat operators.
No life rafts, refrigeration system or air conditioning
Yes, not a single boat inspected had life rafts and smoke distress signals, refrigeration systems or air-conditioning.
Shockingly, the Fisheries Department has shown no particular haste in acting on this report and more importantly placing it in court despite clear orders. The sequence of events are prima facie shocking.
On March 20, 2024, the High Court passed an order directing the State government to produce the inspection report of Goa Shipyard in two weeks since considerable time had passed since July 2023
In June 2024, the Goa Foundation filed a fresh application to the High Court that despite the Court’s last order, the report was not produced.
The fisheries department needs to answer where the Goa Shipyard inspection report was dated January 24, 2024, on March 20 and in June.
This is all the more significant since the Fisheries Department was issued eight show cause notices and disposed of three of them with a paltry fine of Rs 50,000 when the Court was waiting for the GSL report based on which the notices were issued.