Date: 19th January 2015
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1
To,
The Governor,
Government of Goa
Dona Paula, Goa
|
2
To,
The Chief Minister,
Government of Goa
Secretariat,
Porvorim, Goa
|
|
3
To,
The Minister of
Fisheries,
Government of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim, Goa
|
4
To,
The Chief Secretary,
Government of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim, Goa
|
|
5
To,
The Secretary
(Fisheries)
Government of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa
|
6
To,
The Under Secretary
(Fisheries),
Government of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa
|
|
To,
The Captain of
Ports,
River Navigation
Department
Panjim, Goa
|
8
To,
The Director,
Department of
Tourism,
Panjim, Goa
|
|
9
To,
The Director,
Department of
Fisheries,
Government of Goa,
Panjim, Goa
|
10
To,
The Collector (North
Goa),
Government of Goa
Panjim, Goa
|
|
11
To,
The Mamlatdar,
Tiswadi Taluka,
Panjim, Goa
|
12
To,
The Director-General
of Police (DGP)
Police Headquarters,
Panjim, Goa
|
|
13
To,
The Superintendent
of Police (North Goa)
Porvorim, Goa
|
14
To,
Vishnu Surya Wagh
The Member of
Legislative Assembly (MLA)
St. Andre
Constituency,
Goa
|
|
15
To,
The Parish Priest,
Our Lady of
Bethlehem,
Bambolim
Goa
|
16
To
The Sarpanch,
Village Panchayat of
Curca – Bambolim- Talaulim
Goa
|
|
17
To,
The Sarpanch,
Village Panchayat of
Siridao
Goa
|
18
To,
The Sarpanch,
Village Panchayat of
Taleigao,
Goa
|
|
19
To,
The Sarpanch,
Village Panchayat of
Santa Cruz, Goa
|
20
To,
The Parish Priest,
Our Lady of Rosary
Church,
Siridao, Goa
|
Subject: Intensified violations of fishing rights in Zuari
by illegal fishing by trawlers and water sports activities by Hotel Grand Hyatt
Sir/Madam,
1.
As you are already aware of our letter to you
dated 21st November 2014 and 15th December 2014 and that
fishermen of Zuari coast in Tiswadi taluka are facing intense violations of
fishing rights. Here we write to update on the situation since our last letter
of 15th December 2014 and calling upon you to act in defense of
traditional fishermen and stop illegal fishing in Zuari river by trawlers (81
violations) as well as incursions by
Hotel Grand Hyatt, Bambolim through the water sports activities (25 violations).
The details are listed below with web links for your reference for pictures.
2.
On 15th December itself According
to the information received at 12.20 pm two water sports boats of Hotel Grand
Hyatt were noticed violating fishing rights in Zuari River. Fishermen of the
locality has objected to the speed boats plying in Zuari River by Hotel Grand
Hyatt, Bambolim.
3.
On 17 December 2014 three Speed boats were
released in Zuari River at 1.00 pm.
4.
On 18th December 2014 Hotel Grand
Hyatt, Bambolim released 3 speed boats in Zuari river thereby causing fishing
rights violation. The aggression was carried on at around 10.30 am. The boats
belonged to Aquasail. Please access the pictures of these boast at the links: http://bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2014/12/pictures-of-speed-boats-that-violate.html
5.
On 20th December 2014 Bharat Mukti Morcha
identified violators: 8 trawlers of unknown owners from Vasco and 6 water
sports speed boats of Hotel Grand Hyatt, Bambolim.
6.
On 21st December 2014 at around 12.30 pm Hotel
Grand Hyatt released 10 water sports boats in Zuari River in an act that is
flagrant violation of the fishing rights of the local fishermen.
7.
On 22nd December 2014 at 2.00 pm
mechanized fishing trawler was seen trawling in Zuari river. Department of
fisheries was contacted but they refused to sent patrol boat of the fisheries
department. These kinds of violations are bad. Another trawler latter was also
seen in Zuari river but was intercepted and pushed out of Zuari river into
Arabian Sea by the patrolling boat of the fisheries department after repeated
telephonic complaints was lodged with the department by the fishermen and the
Bharat Mukti Morcha.
8.
On 23rd December there were four violations of
fishing rights. One trawler named "Netra" from Vasco
belonging to Tulsidas A. Kukalkar licence no. FVL – 407/0105 – Goa dated
01/01/2004 was fishing illegally for the entire day starting from 6.30 am up to
6.30 pm. This trawler was earlier detained by fishermen in Siridao
on December 4, 2014 night at 10.30 pm while fishing illegally and
ripping through the fishing nets of Siridao fishermen. His season’s pass
indicates that he has been authorized to carry on fishing activities in Arabian
Sea and not in Zuari river. Fisheries department must invoke Goa, Daman and Diu
Fisheries Regulation Act, 1980 and rules of this law of 1981 and punish the
offenders immediately. When informed over the phone fisheries department at
Panaji refused to act against the offending trawler. Later in the day this
trawler was joined by another one. In the night time at around 8.30 pm
two trawlers were found fishing illegally in Zuari River with lights on. When
fishermen called fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado he did not answer any of
the 6 calls made by fishermen from Bambolim-Cacra coastal belt.
9.
On December 24, 2014 two trawlers were sighted
in the morning fishing illegally in Zuari river. In fact they carried on
fishing entire December 23-24, 2014 night as per eye witness reports from
Odxel-Cacra-Nauxi-Bambolim-Siridao fishermen. Then at around 11.30 pm one more
trawler came at the distance of 70 meters off the Cacra coast.
10.
20 seated double motor Tourism boat launched
at 10.30 am on December 28, 2014 provoked discontents amongst the coastal
people on Odxel-Cacra-Nauxi-Bambolim-Siridao coast. The illegally sailed
through fishing rich Zuari river with tourists on board towards Arabian Sea
with key officials of Aquasail on board. Brigadier Puri of Aldeia de Goa
as well as Vinod Govekar, high ranking corporate official is seen supervising
fishing rights violations. The pictures are accessible here: http://bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2015/01/how-tourism-director-attempted-to-bluff.html . Their double motored boat disturbed local
fishermen in Zuari river. Here is the picture of the boat and the fishermen
fishing in Zuari: http://bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2015/01/tourism-fisheries-clash-in-pictures.html
11.
Two trawlers were fishing within 20 meters of
Nauxi-Cacra-Odxel coast in Zuari river. The violations were observed at 09.45
am on Monday 29 December 2014.
12.
On December 31, 2014 morning at 10.00 am two
trawlers found to be engaged in illegal fishing activities off Cacra coast. One
of the two trawlers is named ‘Netra’ owned by Tulsidas Kukalkar of Vasco. This
trawlers is engaging in illegal fishing third time in December 2014. Earlier
this month it was detained by fishermen at Siridao coast and documents
confiscated at mid-night of 3-4 December 2014 in Zuari river. The offender is
yet to be booked.
13.
Aquasail fleet of boats parked on Bambolim
beach is causing severe fishing rights violations in Zuari River. Here is
accessible picture: http://bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2015/01/aquasail-fleet-of-boat-at-bambolim.html
14.
On 8th January 2015 at 9.00 am six trawlers
were found to be engaged in illegal fishing in Zuari river. Director of
Fisheries Sharmila Monteiro was immediately contacted by fishermen and member
of Panchayat from Cacra Sanjay Pereira. Director told him to contact
Superintendent of Fisheries. When the Superintendent of Fisheries was contacted
he informed that he cannot act until ordered to do so by the Director of
Fisheries. Then at 12.00 noon full three hour after an offense
committed and Director being informed, police reached Bambolim coast
and were searching for illegally fishing trawlers. When they could not trace
the trawlers they met local residents. Police were questioned as to the reasons
for delay in approaching Zuari river. Police informed that they cannot come
until sent by Director of Fisheries. So clearly today they were not informed on
time and trawlers allowed to carry on illegal fishing activities in Zuari
river. This is also the reason as to why there is no permanent fishing vessel
being stationed in Zuari river. The pictures of this days illegal fishing is
accessible here: http://bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2015/01/goa-director-of-fisheries-allows.html
15.
On 9th January 2015 morning
session two trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river. From 4 pm
onwards 6 trawlers fishing in Zuari river. Director, Minister contacted.
Coastal police also contacted. Action taken by authorities not known.
16.
On 10th January
2015 morning ten trawlers illegally fishing in Zuari river. By 11.45 am 8 left
two continued. Director was contacted by fishermen from fishermen from Odxel
village. Director switched off the mobile after fishermen questioned her on
illegal trawling in Zuari river on 9 January 2015. 5 Trawlers continued illegal
fishing violating regulations in place till 5.00 pm. Police at Harbor police
station were contacted. They replied that their boats have gone for patrolling
Colva and Majorda due to terrorists threats. It looks that police does not view
illegal trawling as dangerous as terrorism. In fact it is more dangerous as
industrial hunting which they are indulging is leading several fish species
into extinction.
17.
On 11th January 2015 at 7.00
am 6 trawlers were illegally fishing in Zuari river. After few hours three of
them left. Then at 12.30 afternoon police boat from Agassaim confronted
the remaining trawlers and they went off to Vasco. Superintendent of
fisheries informed Sanjay Pereira of Cacra that his boats are not able to
locate illegal trawlers. By 5.00 pm 5 trawlers were illegally fishing in
Zuari.
18.
12th January 2015 at 5.00 pm
two trawlers carried on illegal fishing Zuari coast. Harbor police at Vasco
were intimated and urged to act. Police promised to send boats to nab the
culprits but well beyond sun set at 6.30 pm trawlers continued fishing
illegally throwing law and the police into winds. They displayed care-free
attitude in violating the law.
19.
On 13th January 2015 from 6 am
till 12.00 noon 12 trawlers were illegally fishing in Zuari River. Between 3.00
pm to 6.30 pm 8 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari River. Director
of Fisheries Sharmila Monteiro was contacted by fishermen from Siridao to
intervene to stop illegalities. She refused. Police at harbor station were
contacted in Vasco to act. They promised to act and sent police patrol boat in
Zuari. Whether they actually sent or not is not known. This day created a
record of violations in single day - 20 trawlers in a day.
20.
14th January 2015 at 7.30 am
two trawlers and one mini-per seining boat spotted in Zuari River. Police
contacted. Trawlers returned to Vasco as also mini per seining boat.
21.
15th January 2015 at 6.00 am
in the morning two trawlers were carrying on the illegal fishing in Zuari River
very close to Cacra coast.
22.
You are advised once again to station
permanent fishing patrol vessel inside Zuari river.
23.
You are advised to drastically increase police
surveillance and crackdown on illegal fishing by trawlers as well as water
sports in Zuari River.
Awaiting
your positive and prompt action.
Thanking
you in anticipation.
Yours
sincerely,
Sd/-
Maggie
Silveira
President,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa State Unit
Sd/-
Sanjay
Pereira
Convener,
Bharat Mutkti Morcha, Cacra unit
Sd/-
Rohidas
Andrade
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Bambolim unit
Sd/-
Soccoro
Braganza
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Siridao Unit
Sd/-
Anthony
Cardozo
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Curca Unit
Sd/-
Sitaram
Pereira
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Odxel Unit
Sd/-
Milind
Palkar
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Nauxi unit
Sd/-
Chandrakant
Lotlikar
Secretary,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Siridao Unit
Sd/-
Deu
Kankonkar
Secretary,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Nauxi Unit
Sd/-
Jeronio
D’Souza,
Secretary,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Siridao Unit
Sd/-
Vishnu
Kankonkar
Secretary,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Bambolim
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