The Goa Fishing Boat Owners’ Association (GFBOA) has decided to file a police complaint against Cutbona fishermen for allegedly damaging two trawlers of its members. The Association has further charged the Cutbona fishermen for allegedly kidnapping 17 crew members while fishing in the Arabian Sea on Sunday. According to the available information, two trawlers — Divine Star’ and Milagres Saibin’ owned by Vasco-based owners — Edmond and Gaspar had ventured into the Arabian Sea from the Khariwado fishing jetty on Sunday morning. However, while they were fishing, suddenly at around 2 pm, two trawlers from Cutbona started moving towards them. The fishermen aboard the Cutbona trawlers started abusing the crew on board the Vasco-based trawlers. “The fishermen from Cutbona boarded onto the Vasco-based trawlers and forcefully took the 17 crew members to Cutbona jetty alleging that both trawlers were carrying out bull trawling in the sea, which has been banned by the government, a Vasco-based trawler owner alleged. The fishing nets, water tanks and the cabin glass of both trawlers were damaged, the trawler owner complained. We will file a police complaint against seven fishermen from Cutbona for stealing our two fishing trawlers, abducting 17 crew members and also for robbing some material from the trawlers, the owners of Divine Star’ and Milagres Saibin’ told reporters. Meanwhile, when contacted, Cutbona Boat Owners’ Union Society president Savio D’Silva informed that the Society has decided to impose heavy fine on the Vasco-based trawler owners for indulging in bull trawling. “The detained trawlers were later released following an undertaking not to repeat such acts in future but the society has taken this incident seriously and will leave no stone unturned to stop this illegality,” he added.
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