Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Superintendent of Police (SP), Coastal Security Police, Rajendra Raut Dessai, and the Director of the Fisheries Department, Dr. Shamila Monteiro, submitted affidavits outlining their actions and available resources in relation to the writ petition being heard by the High Court regarding illegal mechanized fishing.
They claim to have enforced the prohibition on such illicit fishing by responding to numerous illegalities committed by various kinds of boats at sea, including those from outside Goa. They provided a chart detailing the complaints they had been contacted about, the calls they had made, and the status of each case.
They also mentioned a recent meeting with the Captain of Ports (CoP) and the Advocate General (AG), during which they decided to step up their investigation into illegal fishing in the Zuari River’s Cacra bay area, as brought up by the petitioner, the All-Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union.
It was revealed in the joint meeting with the Additional AG that the CoP’s patrolling vessel is presently undergoing maintenance and, depending on its condition, should return to service in 20 days.
In addition, the Coastal Security Police confirmed that they would be stationing a dinghy in the Zuari River (Cacra) for continuous patrols. They also promised to designate additional staff members to support the Fisheries Department’s patrols.
The Fisheries Department stated that because there is only one bosun (supervisor of deck crew) available, patrols along the Zuari River are conducted on alternate days. The Additional AG advised that patrolling frequency be increased in order to stop illegal fishing activities, and all parties involved pledged to carry out the petitioner’s request.
