Zuari illegal fishing in violation of High Court directions

February 01, 2024

To,

The Director of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

The Superitendent of Police

Coastal Security,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Violations of Goa Bench of Bombay High Court directions dated 9th January 2024 in Writ Petition No. 2844 of 2023 regarding illegal fishing within specified area within 5 kms from the shore line.

Madam/ Sir,

We draw your urgent attention to the above mentioned violations in All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union Versus The State of Goa.

Paragraph 07 of the Honorable High Court states "In the meantime, we direct the prohibition as emanating from the Notification issued by the State Government in respect of the use of mechanized vehicles which be strictly ensured by the authorised officer and other authorities concerned failing which the Court may be constrained to initiate appropriate action against those responsible for unabated mechanised fishing despite prohibition."

The violation of the above cited paragraph took place by unhindered illegal fishing activity in Zuari river through mechanised fishing vehicles. We wish to furnish details as under:

1. Purse fishing vessel bearing registration number IND-GA-01-MM-2663 named Indra Sagar carried on illegal purse seine fishing at 11.55 pm on January 31, 2024 in Zuari river at Latitude 15.446721⁰, Longitude 73.822987⁰.

2. Fishing vessel bearing registration number IND-GA-01-MM-578 carried on illegal trawl fishing at 11.26 pm on January 31, 2024 in Zuari river at location Latitude 15.454489⁰, Longitude 73.825275⁰.

3. Fishing vessel bearing registration number IND-GA-01-MM-581 carried on illegal trawl fishing at 11.24 pm on January 31, 2024 in Zuari river at location Latitude 15.454489⁰, Longitude 73.825275⁰.

4. Fishing vessel bearing registration number IND-GA-01-MM-672 carried on illegal trawling fishing at 11.34 pm on January 31, 2024 in Zuari river at location Latitude 15.454489⁰, Longitude 73.825275⁰.

Kindly provide us WhatsApp number of your office where we can share digital evidence of the above reported violations. 

You are required to enforce law and order in Zuari river that is in paralyzed state due to your willful negligence and other reasons best known to your office.

Please initiate action against those involved in violations as per law as well as against officers of your office who failed in their duty to prevent illegal fishing within specified areas of 5 kms from the coastline. This is a serious matter and will be reported to the Honorable High Court.

Please find attached cited High directions for your ready perusal.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello

President, AGSSRFU

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary, AGSSRFU 

Copy to

Chief Secretary, Government of Goa, Porvorim,  Goa