Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) has today demanded immediate action against illegal basket fishing in the Zuari River.
GRE General Secretary Olencio Simoes said that illegal fishing was being carried out by migrant communities who are non-fishing communities.
“This community indulges in illegal basket fishing activity near Vareg island using non-registered fishing gear. We demand the fisheries department impound all such fishing gear in the Rivers of Goa,” GRE said.
Simoes stated that they have seen that there is rampant LED Light fishing, bull trawling and even violations of the fishing ban period, and we now have this illegal basket fishing in Zuari River.
“We urge the fisheries minister Nilkanth Halarnkar and fisheries director Sharmila Monteiro to immediately act on illegal fishing and immediately seize the non-registered fishing gears’ baskets and nets. We anyways have scarcity of fish, and such illegal activities will further deprive the livelihood of the fishermen, especially the traditional fishermen,” said Simoes.
Simoes further added that Goencho Ekvott and St Joseph Vaz College and Chicalim Youth Farmers club had planted mangroves at Vareg Island on World Environment Day.
“Mangroves are vital for the environment and ecosystem by absorbing carbon dioxide. Mangrove roots filter water pollution, and we urge people to protect the environment, and it is the equal responsibility of the people as much as the Government. We have seen that rivers are polluted as the mangroves are being depleted and other species are being finished. We also urge the Government to grow back mangroves and plant trees in Fire spots failing which there will be a huge climate change and rise in ocean temperature. We urge the Government to take the environment as the top priority as much as other infrastructure development projects,” said Simoes.
