According to a report published by O Heraldo, Fisheries Minister of Goa Nilkanth Halarnkar, the Fisheries Director Shamila Monteiro, the OSD to the Minister Prathamesh Tulaskar and a team of private fisheries stakeholders enjoyed a five-day trip to different places in Norway from February 26 to March 1 (excluding travelling time) this year.
The trip was initiated, planned and reasoned by one Goa-based fishing baron Miguel Rodrigues. Rodrigues is a big time fishing entrepreneur and a die-hard backer of LED fishing. He is the owner of Joecons Marine Exports Pvt Ltd and their companies and runs his private jetty, Mobrar Fisheries.
This has happened at a time when despite repeated appeals to the State Fisheries Department, the Union Fisheries Ministry, and even petitions before the High Court, large-scale trawlers continue to brazenly deploy LED lights unabated. Does that mean there is a link between inaction against LED fishing and the Norway junket? The government has to come clean on this.
The State Fisheries officials and coastal police maintain they are actively enforcing regulations and impounding errant vessels and have even submitted this to the High Court.
However, the traditional fishermen’s unions allege that this problem still persists despite there being a ban on LED lighting for fishing activities. They have further alleged that various other forms of illegal fishing are also taking place and that complaints about this matter have already been filed.
A High Court-directed inspection report by Goa
Shipyard Limited (GSL) has exposed rampant and almost criminal violations by fishing vessels at Cutbona, Malim and Vasco.
During the hearing of a PIL filed by the Goa Foundation seeking for ban on LED fishing in deep sea citing environmental concerns, the report stated 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 Limited.
As concerns escalate amongst the traditional fishing communities, calls are mounting for decisive action and sustainable policies to prevent irreversible damage. This is a vital issue that deals with sons of the soil and essentially people who’ve been in the waters of Goa for generations together, carrying out one of Goa’s most traditional occupations – fishing.
The massive trawlers of big fishermen coming into Goa’s waters are violating all rules and regulations with regard to fishing with powerful LED lights. This intrusion is not just destroying the fish, its eggs and everything in between, but also cutting at the very core of Goa’s traditional existence, which is fishing.
Fishing has been a traditional occupation in Goa, and seafood is an integral part of the local cuisine.
Fish is one of the most important natural resources of the world and holds greater importance to the State of Goa, as it is an integral part of Goan life and culture. It is considered as a staple diet for more than 90 per cent of the population of Goa.
Goa shares nearly two per cent of the total marine fish production of our country. The marine fisheries sector contributes to about three per cent of the State’s GDP and 17 per cent of the agricultural GDP. Thus the fisheries industry plays a vital role in the State’s socio-economic development.
However, the rapid increase in population, tourism, and demand for seafood has put immense pressure on the marine resources leading to overfishing and depletion of fish stocks.
The fisheries sector of the State faces various challenges like over-exploitation, indiscriminate fishing practices, fish migration barriers, pollution, habitat degradation, invasive species, climate change and lack of proper management. Now this important sector has a new and bigger threat in the form of LED fishing.
It is baffling to see the lack of affirmative action against the invasive bull trawlers, which are out to destroy our fish. If there won’t be any fish stock in Goa, the entire socio-economic structure of the State will collapse like a pack of cards.
Local cuisine is a very important component of the tourism sector. People come to Goa from faraway places to not just enjoy the sun and sand, but also the fish thali. If there is not enough fish to feed the local population and the tourists, there will be complete mayhem.
Tourism is the major source of revenue for Goa, considering that the iron ore mining ban is not going to be lifted very soon. If the fish stock depletes, the local population and the tourists, both will be adversely affected.
Does the government realise the implications of this impending danger? Is our establishment so insensitive that it is ready to allow its people to starve? People of Goa must come out of their homes and take the government to task. This can’t be allowed to continue for long. Time is ripe for affirmative action from the masses.