From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
 
Panaji, Jun 11: Even as a week more is left for the official fishing ban to be implemented in Goa, the fishing trawlers have already ceased their operation owing to the rough sea.

The fishermen find it risky to go into the choppy sea, which has become violent due to onset of the monsoon in the state.

Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association President Simon Pereira said that the majority of the fishing boats are anchored at the shore. “The boats cannot cope up with the rough sea,” he said.

The fishing ban would be implemented across the state shoreline from June 15 onwards which will continue till July 31. State government has agreed to maintain the 45 day long ban, even as the environmentalist and traditional fishermen demand that the ban should be exceeded further.

The trawlers and canoes with high powered motor are banned from fishing during the monsoon, which also happens to be breeding period for fishes. Only small canoes with minor motor or manual rowing are allowed to fish during the ban period.

Chief minister Manohar Parrikar said that the ban period will remain same as that of last year. “There are demands to increase it further. I also feel that it should more. But this year, there was no time to think about it,” said Parrikar, who took over the charge on March 9.

Goa government has also decided to tackle the issue of fishing trawlers from neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra encroaching into the Goan waters during the ban. “We will also have to solve this issue of neighbouring fishermen fishing in Goan waters while we ban the local trawlers,” Parrikar said.

As per the official statistics, 28,000 people in Goa are dependent on fishing for livelihood. Plus, some 7,000 workers from outside the state find employment on trawlers here.