Goa anglers want reduction in ban period on fishing

Panaji, Sep 5 (UNI) Goa fishermen propose to move the Supreme Court praying that the uniform ban period on trawling, effective from June 10 to August 15, be reduced by fifteen days.

The Goa anglers also propose to approach their counterparts in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Kerala to join handswith them in moving the apex court in this regard.

A recent Supreme Court order, in the form of an interim relief, had imposed a uniform ban on trawling in the five coastal states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Gujarat on a petition filed by a Goa-based non-governmental organisation. Mechanised canoes, using less than 10HP motors, were, however, exempted from the ban which is to be effective from June 10 to August 15.

Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Co-op Society chairman Victor Gonsalves told reporters here today, ''We are in contact with the other states regarding filing a fresh affidivit in the Supreme Court.'' Mr Gonsalves said that as per their information, the canoes with less than 10HP motors made a catch of 300 tonnes of solar shrimps during the period under ban for the trawlers, because of the which the latter lost out and could hardly make any significant catch after the ban period.

It has, therefore, become very difficult for trawler owners to operate their boats at high operational costs. Out of the total of 1,350 trawlers in Goa, only around 800 are operational as it has become economically unviable, he claimed.

Meanwhile, Mr Gonsalves informed that Malim Jetty in Goa will be modernized soon with automatic loading and unloading facilities. It will be fully airconditioned.

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) along with official of Directorate of Fisheries has already inspected the jetty and awaiting a final construction plan. The project will be fully funded by MPEDA, he said.

UNI SRN KU/MAZ SI HS1748