Finally, it took Goa’s eco-warrior Claude Alvares to wage a battle against the menace of LED fishing which was robbing our small fishermen of their catch and livelihoods. And Herald’s sustained reportage on the issue across print, digital and TV acted as an important catalyst in taking the battle for justice for our sons of the soil who work for us in our rivers and sea, who are facing depleted fish stocks. They have no money to even repair their boats and nets.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday asked the Directorate of Fisheries and the Goa Coastal Police to inspect trawlers at the respective jetties to ensure that the crew does not carry generators and LED (light) fishing used for bull trawling while venturing into the sea for fishing.
The Court’s instructions came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Goa Foundation, an NGO, seeking a total and effective ban on the use of LED light (light fishing) in Goa’s territorial waters and in the waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ ) of the country. In the PIL, the petitioner has also mentioned reports published by Herald in June this year highlighting the dismal state of affairs of the patrol boats of the Goa Coastal Police. Alvares told Herald that these intensive reports were also relied upon and gave strength to the petition.
The Court has also asked the Goa Coastal Police to conduct random checks to prohibit LED (light) fishing when the fishing season commences from August 1 this year. The Division Bench comprising Justice Mahesh Sonak and Justice R N Laddha also asked the Department of Fisheries to pursue with the Government of India to procure additional patrol boats for patrolling. Earlier the government advocate told the court that the department had five patrol boats but only two were in operation.
Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, Adv Norma Alvares sought the inspection of all the mechanised vessels going out for fishing from August 1. She told the court that trawlers were carrying generators and using them for purpose of LED lights. She said that trawlers do not need generators as the vessel motors are equipped with alternatives to run normal lights and normal fishing gears.
Adv Alvares said nearly 50 per cent of the 800-odd trawlers were using LED lights when they go out for fishing and expressed concern over the depletion of marine resources. During the hearing, the Fisheries Department assured the court that they will convene a meeting of all stakeholders including the petitioner so that further suggestions can be discussed and examined as to how bull trawling can be effectively stopped as per the law.
Assistant Solicitor General Pravin Faldesai said the Court had not specifically passed any order although in the past it had asked the Fisheries Department and the Indian Coast Guard to keep a strict watch and to take some deterrent steps to stop bull trawling. Adv Faldesai said the Indian Coast Guard is conducting inspection of trawlers in high seas.
“Today more than arguments it was a matter of discussion. Court discussed the matter with us and suggestion was to hold a meeting of all stakeholders as to how this problem can be solved,” Adv Faldesai said adding, “The major issue is that why generator is required on the fishing trawler when its lights can run on engines.” Besides Department of Fisheries and Indian Coast Guard, all fishing cooperative societies in charge of jetties have been made respondents.
On May 10, 2016, the Department of Fisheries has issued an order prohibiting fishing using LED lights in the State while, the Union government issued order on November 10, 2017 prohibiting LED light fishing in the entire Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters. The Court has posted the matter for further hearing on September 12.