Contempt of Court orders in Writ Petition No. 370 of 2024 through illegal mechanised fishing at Zuari river mouth and call to demarcate 05 kms specified area

 25.10.2025

To,

The Chief Secretary, 

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police, 

Coastal Security, 

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Contempt of Court orders in Writ Petition No. 370 of 2024 through illegal mechanised fishing at Zuari river mouth and call to demarcate 05 kms specified area

Sir/Madam

Late night of 23.10.2025 at 10.18 pm around 10 trawling mechanised boats carried on illegal fishing on very mouth of Zuari river near Dona Paula.

This is the first incident of ineffectiveness of Government machinery to enforce ban on mechanised fishing beyond 05 kms distance from the shore after 16.10.2025 joint meeting between All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) with Director of Fisheries, Senior officers of Captain of Ports and Senior police officers of coastal security to thebranks of Deputy Superitendent and Police Inspector review implimentaion of High Court directions in Writ Petition 370 of 2024.

We believe that such Violations continue to repeat because your office has never implimented one of the important directions of the High Court in Writ Petition 370 of 2025 (All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union VS Government of Goa) that states "Patrol boats of the Fisheries department as well as Coastal Security Police must be stationed at the Dona Paula Jetty and not only at Vasco-da-Gama, because the illegal purse seine fishing takes place mostly at Siridao/Dona Paula bay area."

In view of continues non-implinentation we shall be constrained to file Contempt of Court petition against your office for non-implinentation of the above directions and all other directions contained in the mentioned court ruling where in your assurance is recorded in the last para of the order as "the minutes of the meeting dated 01.03.2024, which learned Additional Government Advocate assured that the same would be scrupulously followed and in view of the positive standof the respondents that they will act on the suggestions made by the petitioners as recorded in order, accepting such assurance which the respondents shall follow in letter and spirit, the petition is disposed of."

Kindly accept this as an advance notice of our intention to go for Contempt of Court proceedings in near future against your office due to failure to impliment High Court directions.

Further in the above context we request you to demarcate Specified area along Goa's entire coastline and keep us continuesly updated on steps initiated.

Thanking you.

Yours Truly,

Shaila D'mello 

President

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary

Illegal Purse Seine in Zuari River

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union

(AGSSRFU)

Date 17th September 2024

To,

The Director,
Directorate of Fisheries,
Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police,
Coastal Security,
Panaji, Goa


Sub: Illegal purse seine fishing in Zuari

Madam/Sir,

This is to bring to your attention that around 20 cannoes carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at a riverfront stretch from Dona Paula to Odxel. They were noticed and reported to the Fisheries Control Room between 8.00 am to 8.30 am om 15th September 2024.

This is complete collapse of law and order as well as Fisheries administration in the State of Goa.

You are requested to take immidiate preventive steps to ensure that such things are repeated in future.

We will also report this to the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in WP 2844/23 as violation of the Court directive.

Thanking You,

Yours sincerely,


Shaila D'mello
President




Laximan Mangueshkar
Secretary

When Goa Fisheries department joins purse seiners for Zuari river loot

 When Goa Fisheries department joins purse seiners for Zuari river loot...

Fisheries department today allowed illegal purse seine fishing by three canoes near Dona Paula Jetty on the mouth of Zuari river. Inspite of telephonic complaint to the control room of the Fisheries department there was no action. 

Three canoes carried on their illegal act at 5.30 pm today 06 November 2023 violating section 144 imposed by North Goa Collector due to National Games. From this action it is clear that Fisheries department is biased against Gill nets fishers in its action.

Director of Fisheries had warned the fishermen to such an extent that even the presence of fishing boats on Vaiguinim beach was intolerable and wanted to clear off canoes like bin of garbage with 20 days with ban on fishing.

Now it is clear that Fisheries department allowed illegal fishing to go on at Miramar Jetty thereby confirming nexus between the purse seiners and the department of Fisheries.

At the venue of National Games at Dona Paula only small scale fishers are banned while purse seiners carry the loot with impunity. 

How many people from fishing community are there in Fisheries department who can understand fishing issues properly? 

Goa's great fishing tragedy continues with Fisheries department being active collabotator of fishing loot.

All Goa Small-scale responsible Fisheries Union strongly condemns ongoing loot of Fisheries in Zuari under Section 144 Cr.Pc.

Stop purse seine fishing in Zuari now!

Bharat Mukti Morcha is deeply concerned about rising incidents of illegal purse seine fishing in Zuari river over the past week. It has been observed that this kind of destructive fishing going on with close co-ordinatiom with Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Goa. Purse seine fishing is banned in the rivers and within five kilometers from the shoreline due to their destructive impacts.

There has been complete and deliberate promotion of illegal fishing with collision of those engaging in illegal purse seine fishing from Nerul and Vasco with the Director of Fisheries Shamila Monteiro to destroy Zuari river fisheries and the livelihoods of small scale fishers. In fact Monteiro has gory reputation of supporting illegal fishing in Zuari river and was even chucked out of the office in 2017 for this reason by then Minister of Fisheries Palyenkar. Fisheries department was handled ably well by the IAS officers Govind Jaiswal, Secretary to the Fisheries.

Monteiro is bias against the small scale fishers for the reasons best known to her as evident from her tacit support to illegal purse seine fishing in Zuari over the past full week. Disgusting. Monteiro's competence lies in supporting illegal fishing in Zuari. It's shocking yet tragic reality.

Bharat Mukti Morcha holds Shamila Monteiro responsible for all the illegal purse seine fishing going on at Zuari river over the past week. She should be shifted out from Fisheries department as was done in 2017 and charge be given to some other able officer.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for complete revamping of Fisheries department with 24 hour Patroling of Zuari river in view of daily illegal purse seine fishing. Patrol boat should be stationed at Dona Paula Jetty rather than at Panjim Jetty for effecting quick response against fishing rights violators namely the purse seine fishing boats.

NPSSFW statement in Goa Press

Sebastian Rodrigues, National Council Member of National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers (NPSSFW) issued statement against menancing illegal trawling and purse seine fishing in Zuari river. Navhind Times published the same with some censorship in their daily. Here it is hyperlinked. 

We publish as a matter of historical record uncensored statement that was widely shared and debated on social media as below:

Illegal fishing in zuari with political patronage

Today September 22, 2021 at 4.00 pm eight trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at Siridao- Cacra- Odxel stretch. There is also reported daily trawlers and purseiners carrying on illegal fishing in Zuari river. Culprits are from Vasco and Agassaim as per the reliable sources. Minister of Fisheries Philip Neri Rodrigues along with several politicians like Michael Lobo are involved promoting and protecting illegal fishing in Zuari river. Director of Fisheries Shamila Monteiro has proved to be useless in discharging her duties. She was once thrown out from the department but consistent lobbying by Olencio Simoes has brought her back in the office to destroy marine life by promoting illegal trawling and purseinig in violation of Fisheries department rules and regulations.

Few days ago Six purse seine boats were caught in the Act of illegal by police and all of them were released after alleged political pressure from Ports Minister and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo.

All Goa Small Scale Respinsible Fisheries Union had two rounds of discussions with Goa Fisheries Minister. He continues to give same old excuse that there is no staff to operate patrol boat with Fisheries department. 

St. Andre MLA Francis Silveira had publicly called for ban on illegal fishing by trawlers and purse seine boat owners at specially called public meeting in Bambolim two years ago. He however is keeping silent   that indicate that he is no longer interested protecting interest of small scale fishers in Zuari.

Illegal fishing continues in Zuari

Date: 09^th April 2018

To,

The Minister of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Secretary (Fisheries)

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Secretary (Home)

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Director,

Directorate of Fisheries,

Panjim, Goa

To,

The Police Inspector

Agasaim Police Station,

Agassaim, Goa

To,

The Superintendent of Police

Coastal Security,

Police Headquarters,

Panjim, Goa

To,

The Deputy Superintendent of Police

Coastal Security

Ribandar, Goa

To,

The Collector (North)

Panjim, Goa

To,

The Secretary (Education)

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To

The Captain of Ports

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Illegal Fishing in River Zuari

Madam/ Sir,

There are fresh spate of illegal fishing by trawlers and mini purse seine boats in Zuari river as under:

1.    Every night there is illegal fishing by trawlers and mini purse seine boats between 8.30 pm to 3.30 pm. Number of boats range between two to eight.

2.    On 30/03/2018 at 7.30 am thirty five mini purse seine boats carried on illegal fishing. It was Good Friday Holiday.

3.    On 29/03/2018 at 6.00 am eight mini purse seine boats carried on illegal fishing in Zuari.

4.    On 28/03/2018 at 10.00 pm eight trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari

All the four cases mentioned above indicate failure of surveillance system of the Fisheries Department as well of Goa Police. We call upon you

1.    To immediately tighten up the security measures and stop ongoing illegalities.

2.    Efficient co-ordination between police and Fisheries department.

3.    Involve Goa University, Colleges, Schools and other educational institutions in Goa to create awareness about ethical fishing and protection of rivers from purse seine and trawler fishing which is ecologically dangerous.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State

Rohidas Andrade

Convenor, Bambolim Unit

Sanjay Pereira

Convenor, Cacra Unit

Soccorro Braganza

Convenor, Siridao Unit

Anthony Cardozo

Convenor, Curca Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convenor, Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convenor, Nauxim Unit

Ms. Kalpana Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Siridao Unit

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Honu Divkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Nauxim Unit

Yeshwant Shirvoikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Manguesh Sawant

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Amir Mardolkar

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Francis Coelho

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Jaya Kuttikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Jonu Shirvoikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ms. Sheila D’mello

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ashok Kukalkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ganashyam Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Uttam Martins

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Rohit Hadkonkar

Co-convenor, Bambolim Unit

Sanju Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Chandranath Rosario

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Vijay Sawant

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ragunath Sautodkar

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Mahadev Andre Rosario

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Laxman Mangueshkar

Co-convenor,,Siridao Unit

Illegal fishing by trawlers and purse seine boats in Zuari River and call to involve students

Date: 24^th April 2018

To,

The Speaker,

Goa Legislative Assembly,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Minister of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Secretary (Fisheries),

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Director of Fisheries,

Panjim, Goa,

To,

The Superintendent of Police (Coastal Security), Police Headquarters,

Panjim, Goa

To,

The Deputy Superintendent of Police (Coastal Security), Ribandar, Goa

To,

The Police Inspector,

Agassaim Police Station,

Agassaim, Goa

To,

The Leader of the Opposition,

Goa Legislative Assembly,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

MLA,

St. Andre
Constituency

To,

MLA,

Santa Cruz Constituency

To,

MLA,

Talegao Constituency,

Subject: Illegal fishing by trawlers and purse seine boats in Zuari River and call to involve students

Madam/ Sir,

In spite of our repeated intimation to your office illegal fishing by trawlers in Zuari River continues. Here are latest trawler details: Daily between 8.30 pm to 4.00 am in the night time 4 to 5 trawlers regularly carry on illegal fishing. Then on last Sunday 22/04/2018 between 4 to 5 trawlers carried on illegal fishing during day time twice, in the morning at 8.30 am and in the night at 9.50 pm. Trawler “Netra” is one of the repeat offenders and few trawlers are without latest registration numbers from Department of Fisheries.

Here we share latest mini purse seine details: One boat carries on daily illegal fishing Zuari using banned purse seine fishing net from 5.30 am to 9.00 am and 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

We have noted that there is nil co-ordination between Coastal Security Police and Fisheries department and as a result illegal fishing which is also ecologically dangerous is thriving in Zuari river. You are requested to pay immediate attention to this problem and solve it. Your neglect may lead to situation going out of control and total collapse of law and order as well as collapse of fisheries administration in Zuari as it was on 30/03/2018 when 35 mini purse seine boats carried on illegal fishing without any hindrance from the authorities which we have already informed to Fisheries department as well as to Coastal Police via our letter dated 09^th April 2018. 

So you are requested to take identify and penalize offender trawlers and mini purse seine boats as well as take punitive action against responsible officers.

We further request you to involve students and faculty of Goa University and other educational institutions such as BITS Pilani Goa Campus, Collages, Higher Secondary schools etc in tackling this problem as Coastal Security Police as well as Fisheries department has proved to be insufficient and inefficient. We suggest the following pedagogy to engage with Students of above cited institutions:

Ø Explain nature of Zuari River with rich fish diversity back by existing studies

Ø Food Security provided by Zuari river to fishermen and fish consumers human and non-human in Goa

Ø Introduction to sustainable, ecological and ethical fishing practices such as Gillnet fishing, Pagel, Stakes, Rampon etc and general threats to it.

Ø Prevalent law regulating fishing in Goa involving Directorate of Fisheries and Coastal Security Police

Ø Success and Failures of Directorate of Fisheries and Coastal Security Police in tackling illegal fishing by Trawlers and Mini-purse seine boats in Zuari river

Ø Role of Students, Teaching Faculty and Public in tackling illegal fishing in Zuari in the face of repeated failures of Fisheries department and Coastal Security Police – Group discussions

Ø For more details on dynamics of Zuari river fishing refer to field reports and letters at folder “Fishing” at our  blog www.bharatmukti.blogspot.in

Ø Collation generated ideas and Publication of Reports by Department of Fisheries and Coastal Security jointly.

Ø From the Academic Year 2018-2019 launch long term collaboration of Directorate of Fisheries, Coastal Security Police and Education Institutions in Goa to protect and defend River Zuari ecology from illegal fishing.

Should you need our assistance then we will be glad to do so in any possible way for the sake of River Zuari, its ecology and sustainable and ethical fishing practices in Goa.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State

Rohidas Andrade

Convenor, Bambolim Unit

Sanjay Pereira

Convenor, Cacra Unit

Socorro Braganza

Convenor, Siridao Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convenor, Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convenor, Nauxim Unit

Ms. Kalpana Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Anthony Cardozo

Convenor, Curca Unit

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Siridao Unit

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Honu Divkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Nauxim Unit

Yeshwant Shirvoikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Manguesh Sawant

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Amir Mardolkar

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Francis Coelho

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Jaya Kuttikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Jonu Shirvoikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ms. Sheila D’mello

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ashok Kukalkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ganashyam Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Uttam Martins

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Rohit Hadkonkar

Co-convenor, Bambolim Unit

Sanju Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Chandranath Rosario

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Vijay Sawant

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ragunath Sautodkar

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Mahadev Andre Rosario

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Laxman Mangueshkar

Co-convenor, Siridao Unit

Copy to:

1.     The Vice-Chancellor,

Goa University, Taleigao, Goa

2.     Director,

BITS Pilani Goa Campus, Zuarinagar, Goa

3.     Principal,

Fr. Agnel College of Arts and Commerce, Pillar, Goa

4.     Principal

Fr. Agnelo Higher Secondary School, Pillar, Goa

5.     Principal

Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Panjim, Goa

6.     Principal

Dempo College of Commerce, Panjim, Goa

7.     Principal,

St. Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim, Goa

8.     St. Joseph Vaz Institute of Education,

Cortalim, Goa

9.     Principal,

MES College, Vasco, Goa

10.                         Principal,

Don Bosco College, Panjim

11.                         Principal,

Don Bosco Higher Secondary, Panjim

12.                         Principal,

Santa Cruz Higher Secondary School, Santa Cruz

13.                         Principal,

Nirmala Institute of Education, Panjim, Goa

14.                         Principal,

Our Lady of Rosary Higher Secondary School, Dona Paula

15.                         Principal,

St. Andrews Higher Secondary School, Vasco

Administrative Collapse: purse seine and trawling fishing in River Zuari

Date: 22^nd  February 2018

To,

The Minister of Fisheries,

Government of Goa, Secretariat,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Director

Directorate of Fisheries

Panjim, Goa

To,

The Dy. Director Fisheries,

Directorate of Fisheries,

Panjim, Goa

To,

The Superintendent of Police

Coastal Security

Police  Headquarters, Panjim, Goa

To,

The Deputy Superintendent of Police

Coastal Security,

Ribandar, Goa

To,

The Police Inspector,

Aggasaim Police Station,

Agassaim, Goa

Subject: Administrative Collapse: purse seine and trawling fishing in River Zuari

Sir/Madam,

We wish to bring to your urgent attention that there is resumption of illegal mini purse seine fishing boat intrusion in Zuari River near the coast from Siridao to Odxel within one kilometer from the shore. Besides being illegal these boats are contributory factor to the depletion of fish population as they use small size nets that are not sanctioned by the Fisheries department.

On 20^th evening at around 4.30 pm there were five mini purse seine boats in Zuari while on 21^st February 2018 there were six mini purse seine boats carrying on illegal fishing at 6.00 am in the morning.

Besides these mini purse seine boats that are also five trawlers carrying on illegal fishing in the night time on daily basis from 8.00 pm to 3.00 am.

The result of these activities is not only threatened livelihood of traditional fishermen but also an important sign that Police Administration as well as Fisheries department administration in Goa is non-functional and goonda raj is in vogue.

We call for your urgent action to restore law and order in River Zuari by effective and lasting crackdown on these trawlers and mini purse seine boats carrying on illegal fishing.

We assure you of continues support.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Maggie Silveira,

President, Goa State

Sanjay Pereira

Convener, Cacra unit  

Rohidas Andrade

Convener, Bambolim unit

Socorro Braganza

Convener, Siridao Unit

Anthony Cardozo

Convener, Curca Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convener, Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convener, Nauxi unit

Ms. Kalpana Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Siridao Unit

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Honu Divkar,

Co-convener, Odxel Unit

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Nauxi Unit

Yeshwant Shirvoikar,

Co-convener, Odxel Unit

Manguesh Sawant,

Co-convener, Odxel unit

Amir Mardolkar,

Co-convener, Nauxim Unit

Francis Coelho,

Co-convener, Nauxim Unit

Ms. Jaya Kuttikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Jonu Shirvoikar,

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ms. Sheila D’mello,

Co-convener, Cacra Unit

Ashok Kukalkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ganashyam Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel

Uttam Martins

C0-convener, Odxel Unit

Rohit Hadkonkar,

Co-convenor, Bambolim Unit

Chandrakanth Rosario

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Sanju Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Vijay Sawant

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ragunath Sautodkar

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Mahadev Andre Rosario

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit