VASCO: The traditional fishermen on Wednesday demanded that the monsoon ban period be increased from 61 days to 90 days and implemented in the next season so that the fishing stock had ample time to replenish.
Speaking to mediapersons, the traditional fishermen also urged the government to act against LED fishing and boats coming from neighbouring States.
Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) vice president Camilo Souza said the government had allocated only Rs 84.03 crore budget for Fisheries Department and of that even not a single rupee was for the fishermen of the State.
Souza alleged that the fisheries Department had failed to implement the ban on destructive gear due to which many fishermen have started shifting to other professions.
The department is acting like an agent to destroy the marine resources and fishermen across Goa, he alleged and demanded that the new season should start by strictly enforcing the ban on LED fishing and impound all Malpe boats entering into territorial waters of Goa.
GRE general secretary Olencio Simoes said the use of all destructive gears had been banned in the State, but it was yet to be implemented.