from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Aug 16: The uniform ban on fishing imposed by the Supreme Court in Goa along with other states on the west coast will end at mid-night August 15.

The lifting of the ban will allow the 1,152 mechanized trawlers operating out of major fishing hubs like Malim in the north and Betul in the south to venture out into the sea and catch fish.

Statistics available with the fisheries department shows that a total of 84,394 million tonne of marine fish, totalling to Rs 1,71,960 were received during 2002. Similarly, 4,397 million tonne of inland fish were caught in the same year. The inland fish caught totaled to Rs 2,211. There are 11,944 active fishermen in the state.

The uniform fishing ban as ordered by the SC came into force on June 10 making notifications issued by Karnataka and Goa governments reducing the fishing ban period from August 15 to July 31, null and void. This order of the apex court came after a local non-governmental organisation filed a writ petition.

The Goa government had issued a notification last year shortening the ban period to July 31 even as for the past few years it had followed the fishing ban period from June 10 to August 15. This year too the fisheries department had announced that the fishing ban will be enforced only till July 31.

Praying for a uniform ban in the SC, the NGO had also sought directions to ensure compliance of the High Court directives like sealing of the jetties, and closure of the petrol pumps when the ban is in force. The total exports of marine fish production totaling to 8,855 million tons were valued at Rs 3,90,700. In all there are 42 marine fishing villages in the state.

Woes continue

Government's fishing ban is over but trawler owners' woes continued in Goa.
 
"What are we looking out for now? Nothing is left… prized catch of Solar Shrimp is netted by motorized canoes right under the nose of   government authorities.. Goa has made mockery of fishing ban," rued a trawler owner. He echoed sentiments of other trawler owners, who complaint that government's relaxation in ban allowing motorized canoes to fish during ban season has severely affected their golden catch.

Says Victor Gonsalves,chairman, Mandovi Fisheries Cooperative Society``motorized canoes using perse seine nets and additional 10 hp motor have netted solar shrimps. Each canoe has netted around two tones of catch which amounts to Rs 1.5 lakh."

Upon persistent complaints by the trawler owners, fisheries department, though delayed, asked police to nab small canoes operating with the additional motors. Fisheries minister Joaquim Alemao, himself had called for a special meeting to discuss the issue. But by that time, Solar Shrimps were already netted.

Gonsalves said that around 600 canoes operating between Vasco to Betul had a celebrating this year as they flouted fishing ban to the maximum. "Fisheries department could not do anything," he said.

Why so much complaint about Solar Shrimps? Explains Gonsalves," These shrimps fetch price of Rs 65 to Rs 70 in the market. This is the money which trawler owner is looking forward for to pay his loan and mend his vessel. Without this, we are lost."

Adding to the woes of trawlers, even after ban was lifted rough weather prevented them from sailing into the sea. On August 15 and August 16, the trawlers were seen stranded at the jetty due to rough weather.

"Situation is worst… We eagerly waited for the ban to be lifted and now its weather that is troubling us," stated a trawler owner.

With all equipments ready and vessels set to venture in the sea, the trawler owners n ow look ahead for nature God to pave way for them in the sea.