Claiming that the boat owners had ventured out in the sea to seize the two fishing vessels after the coastal police and the Fisheries department had refused to initiate action against the vessels allegedly involved in bull trawling, the small boat owners and the traditional fishermen have warned that they would be forced to take the law in their hands if the government is not willing to enforce the rule of law and reign in on vessels resorting to bull trawling and fishing with LED lights.
Threaten to take law in hand if govt fails to act against illegalities
the goan I network
MARGAO
President of the Cutbona Boat Owners Association Savio D’Silva and Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott secretary Olencio Simoes warned of an agitation if the government arrests any of the boat owners for the seizure of the boats allegedly involved in bull trawling off the Betul coast.
Addressing the media, Savio said the boat owners had ventured out in the sea to seize the vessels engaged in bull trawling only after the Betul coastal police and Fisheries officials declined to initiate action against the illegal fishing. “Even after we seized the two fishing vessels, we immediately informed the coastal police and later handed over the vessels to the police. We have not taken the law in our hands, but have only helped the police and the Fisheries department to enforce the law,” he said.
He demanded that instead of initiating action against the boat owners for seizing the vessels, the government and the Fisheries department should initiate action against the two vessels and penalise the other two vessels which managed to escape.
Olencio Simoes warned that the government will have to face serious consequences if the Fisheries department turns a blind eye to illegal fishing such as bull trawling and fishing with LED lights. “We will not keep quite. The Fisheries department and Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado should intervene and stop illegal fishing,” he said.
Vinay Tari pointed out that the government should involve the coast guard or the Navy to reign in on vessels fishing beyond 12 nautical miles. “But, the government has no intention since it is hand in gloves with the violators,” he said.
Sudhakar Joshi warned that the government should not take the fishermen and the boat owners for granted, asserting that a time will come when they will be forced to take the law in their hands if the government fails to enforce the law.
Velim Aam Aadmi Party leader Cruz Silva extended his support to the agitating fishermen and small boat owners. He recalled that the traditional fishermen had unitedly agitated to get rid of the casino ship anchored in the River Sal, adding that only united efforts can help enforce ban on bull trawling and fishing with LED lights.
