Tuesday 20 January 2015

Intensified violations of fishing rights in Zuari by illegal fishing by trawlers and water sports activities by Hotel Grand Hyatt

Date: 19th January 2015
                           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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