Even as the 61-day annual fishing ban in Goa will come into force from June 1, local fishermen are skeptical about the fish getting enough space to breed and multiply. Their concerns stem from the fact that registered motorized canoes using only gill nets have been exempted from the ban by the state department of fisheries. “The prime purpose of the ban is to facilitate breeding. In the wake of this situation, every fishing vessel must be banned from venturing into the waters, not just mechanized boats. Fish should be permitted to breed in the monsoon season,” said Mandovi fisheries cooperative society, chairperson, Menino Afonso. TOI had earlier reported that the director of fisheries stated that only canoes with 10 horsepower can be permitted to go into the water body. Afonso further added that no fishing vessels from the Malim jetty will be going out to fish. Also, after June 5, stalls selling fish inside the premises will also shut-shop so that there is no commercial activity. During the ban period, upkeep and maintenance of the boats will be undertaken. Over 5,000 crew work on the Malim jetty and its boats. Originally from Orissa , Jharkhand , Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka , the crew members will be returning to their native place during the 61-day ban. They are expected to return to the state by August 15. On the issue of the ban on LED lights , fisher folk lamented that even though the notification has come across, implementation is yet to materialize. “We will discuss the further plan of action with the ramponkars and trawler owners before fishing activity commences in the state. We will persuade the department to discontinue the use of LED lights by having a protest in the sea. All the leaders of the boat associations will stay in the channel with their boats in the river,” added Afonso. The Cutbona Boat Owners Union (CBOU) has decided to initiate stern action against those fishing vessels violating this ban by not permitting them to participate in the auction of fish catch if they return after the specified deadline of 12 midnight, said CBOPU president Savio D’Silva on Tuesday.
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