Goa’s fish catch is on the decline. A shortfall has been observed from July 2015 to June 2016 in marine fish catch production as catch of oil sardines has reduced, fisheries minister Avertano Furtado told Goa legislative assembly on Friday. The state’s total fish production for a period between July 2014 and June 2015 was 114,259 tons but it dropped to 96,189 tons between July 2015 and June 2016, said fisheries minister in a written reply tabled by Congress legislator, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco. Goa’s marine and fisheries product for 2015 stood at 34,815 tons comprising shrimps, cuttle fish, squids, tuna, ribbon fish, Indian mackerel, dried fish, and fishes. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has been requested to carry out impact studies of LED on the fisheries resources. Goa’s fishermen have opposed use of LED lights by fish trawlers on the ground that it is affecting fish production. There had been violent protests by fishermen two months ago, and boat owners had even blocked Mandovi river. The government has already issued an order banning use of LED lights for fishing.
2016, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.