VASCO: Frustrated with the inaction of the Fisheries Department on marauding Malpe trawlers plundering fish in Goan waters, a traditional fisherman spoke in Hindi, because he said the Fisheries Director cannot understand Konkani.
“She is IAS and talks in Hindi. First time a Goan fisherman is forced to talk in Hindi. I cannot speak Hindi, but I’m trying to make her understand our problems,”Joaquim Mendes, a Traditional Fisherman from Nerul
“For years the fisheries department is telling us, we have to study issues such as LED fishing, marauding Malpe Trawlers, bull trawling within 5 kilometres. Why can’t they understand our survival depends on fish? In order that the Fisheries Director, who is IAS understands, I’m talking in Hindi,”Joaquim Mendes, a Traditional Fisherman from Nerul
Elaborating further about the problem which threatens their livelihood, Mendes reiterated that Malpe trawlers are plundering Goan coast. Both Maharashtra and Karnataka have a huge coastline. They are not allowed to fish in Malpe in coastal was, so them come here and plunder our fish, Mendes said. They use powerful motors, even if we chase them they return with bigger fleets, he said.
Meanwhile, Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott has reacted strongly to DIG Coast Guard S Paramesh’s statement that anybody is free to fish in any State’s waters. The DIG made this statement at a meeting called by Goa Fisheries Minister at the Secretariat, Porvorim where Coast Guard, Marine police and fisheries department officials met on Thursday.
“We are shouting hoarse to stop the Malpe trawlers from finishing our fish catch in Goan waters. If the Fisheries Minister had an interest to protect the livelihood of traditional Goans fishermen, he should have called the Karnataka Minister, Karnataka Fisheries Director and the coastal police for a meeting with us. The Coast Guard does not know what is legal and illegal,”Custodio D’Souza Fisherman
Flagging a viral video, D’Souza said the coast guard is quoted as saying anyone can do fishing anywhere. Nothing is illegal. The Fisheries Minister should have told the Coast Guard that there a rules governing fishermen of various states, which the Coast Guard does not know.
“Two hundred HP engines are allowed for fishing trawlers and 300 HP are allotted to the purse seiners. The boats from Malpe have 500 to 700 HP engines. Twenty five boats come at a time and plunder the fish within 12 nautical miles of the Goans coast even as they are banned,”Premjit Sirsaikar, Fisherman
We strongly condemn the statement of DIG Coast Guard, he has no right to interfere. Coastal police are supposed to guard the coast within 12 nautical miles. The jurisdiction of Coast Guard starts after that. There are restrictions for fishing trawlers and purse seiners. “Two hundred HP engines are allowed for fishing trawlers and 300 HP are allotted to the purse seiners. The boats from Malpe have 500 to 700 HP engines. Twenty five boats come at a time and plunder the fish within 12 nautical miles of the Goans coast even as they are banned,” Sirsaikar said.
“The fisheries department is mandated to protect the maritime waters of the State. So why is the department shying away from this responsibility. In the High Court also the department said they have bigger responsibilities, it looks like they are under someone’s pressure. The fishermen are appealing to the department to protect the maritime environment of the State.”Olencio Simoes, General Secretary, GRE