Hollant locals caught a fishing boat involved in illegal LED fishing at Hollant Beach on Monday at midnight. Locals questioned the fisheries department's inactivity in taking action against this boat.
LED fishing has been banned in Goa as it is dangerous for fish breeding, and it promotes fish being caught in excessive amounts. Despite this prohibition on LED fishing, it is being done covertly by the Malpe fishing boats and boats from Maharashtra.
One such boat was detected doing LED fishing by Hollant locals. Some locals on the condition of anonymity informed that when they tried contacting the fisheries department multiple times on the phone, the number was busy.
Locals pointed out that the fisheries department is active in imposing rules and taking action against Goan boats, but when it comes to Malpe and Maharashtra fishing boats involved in LED fishing, no strict action is taken by the department.
Fishermen from Hollant further said that if these boats continue to do LED fishing on beaches like Hollant, then the day will come when Goan fishing boats will not have any fish left to catch in their waters.
Meanwhile, a highly placed source from the fisheries department said that until Tuesday evening, they were unaware that any fishing boat had been seized while doing LED fishing.
