Mechanised fishing through trawlers in Zuari river and other coastal areas within specified area of 5 kms from the shore

 20.08.2025

To,

Chief Secretary,

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Director of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police (Coastal Security),

To,

Captain of Ports,

Panaji, Goa

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Mechanised fishing through trawlers in Zuari river and other coastal areas within specified area of 5 kms from the shore

Sir/Madam,

We wish yo bring to your urgent attention increasing crimes committed by trawlers through their fishing activities in banned specified area of 5 kms from the coast.

Last night from 10.00 pm to 3.00 am nearly dozen trawlers carried on mechanised fishing in Zuari river. Similar instances have come to light from the Coastal areas in Cavelosim, Benaulim, Candolim, Calangute and Morjim over the past two weeks during night and day time.

Please note that these fishing incursions within specified area is grave violation of Goa, Daman and Diu Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1980 and also contempt of Bombay High Court at Goa directions in Writ Petition No. 370 of 2024 All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union v/s State of Goa in which your office was party too.

We will be compelled to intiate legal action against your office if you continue to refrain from cracking down on these marauding trawlers close to the shore destroying marine ecology and infringing on rights of small scale non-mechanised fishers to whom 5 kms from the shore is reserved by declaring it as "Specified Area".

Kindly take swift action on this matter as per contents of the refered High Court directions and intimate us.

Attaching High Court directions for your ready reference.

Moreover we call upon your office to hold immidiate meeting Responsible officers of Fisheries Department, Coastal Security Police and Captain of Ports witn All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union to review implimentation status of the High Court Order mentioned and attached with this letter.

Thank you.

Yours Truly, 

Shaila D'mello

President

Laximan Mangueshkar,

Secretary