Illegal mechanised fishing near Dona Paula Jetty

 08 March 2024

To,

Superitendent of Police

Coastal Security

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Fisheries,

Government of Goa

Panaji, Goa

To,

Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Illegal mechanised fishing in Zuari river near Dona Paula Jetty in violation of High Court directions dated January 09, 2024 in WP 2844 of 2023

Sir/ Madam,

Two incidents of mechanised fishing through use of purse seine nets are reported in Zuari river near Dona Paula Jetty on 07 March 2024. The first one at 4.00 am and the second one at 6.30 pm.

No police patrol boat nor patrol boat from Fisheries department intercepted the illegal fishing boats. This is serious lapse in enforcement mechanism and proves that instead of Police and Fisheries department mechanised fishing lobby is exercising their Writ in Zuari river to violate the law of the land that prohibits mechanised fishing within 05 kms from the coast.

We have brought the violation to the attention of Coastal Security Police via their mobile number 7875756073. However we are not updated by DYSP Coastal security if any action has been taken on the matter.

We will report this to the Hon'ble Bombay High Court.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello

President, AGSSRFU

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary, AGSSRFU

Copy to:

Chief Justice,

Goa Bench of Bombay High Court, Goa

Deputy Superitendent of Police

Coastal Security,

Ribandar, Goa

Water sports obstructions to fishing activities in Zuari

07 March 2024

To,

Minister of Tourism,

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Secretary (Tourism)

Government of Goa,

Porvorim,

Goa

To,

The Director,

Department of Tourism,

Paryatan Bhavan, 

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Water Sports obstructions to fishing activities in Zuari river river

Sir/Madam, 

This is to bring to your urgent attention obstructions faced by fishing communities due to water sports activities in Zuari river. Water sports activities permitted by Department of Tourism in the name of 'ease of doing business' bypassing Department of Fisheries as well as local Panchayat bodies has triggered disruption of fishing activities in Zuari river. Movement of water sports boats has invaded fishing spaces in Zuari river causing tearing of gillnets casted in the river as well as creating sound vibrations that chase away fish from the usual undisturbed Zuari river habitats.

In the above context we call upon your office the following:

1. Revoke all the ecistinf permissions granted to water sports activities in Zuari river waters with immidiate effect from Taleigao coast to Siridao coasts covering villages of Odxel, Cacra, Nauxim, Bambolim and Siridao.

2. Deny granting of any new permissions to water sports in Zuari river involving Territories mentioned at point no.1above.

We look forward to your co-operation and compliance to this letter to ensure smooth conduct of fishing activities by small scale fishing communities in Zuari river.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello

President, AGSSRFU

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary, AGSSRFU 

Copy to

1. Director of Fisheries, Government of Goa, Panaji, Goa

2. Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security, Panaji, Goa

3. Captain of Ports, Government of Goa, Panaji, Goa

4. Sarpanch, Village Panchayat, Siridao, Tiswadi, Goa

5. Sarpanch, Village Panchayat, Bambolim, Tiswadi, Goa

6. Sarpanch, Village Panchayat, Santa Cruz, Tiswadi, Goa

7. Sarpanch, Village Panchayat, Taleigao, Tiswadi, Goa

In response to call letter from Harbour Police Station in mechanised fishing matter

01 March 2024

To,

Superitendent of Police,

Coastal Security,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

Subject : Call letter dated 28/02/2024 from Pradip R. Velip, Police Inspector, Harbour Coastal Security Police Station in connection with Writ Petition no. 2844 of 2023 at Goa Bench of Bombay High Court

Sir/Madam,

We are in receipt of yet another call letter from Harbour Coastal Security Police Station in connection with our complaints on illegal trawling and purse seine fishing in Zuari river dated 01/02/2024 and 22/02/2024, both addressed to your office along with evidence of violation of Goa Bench of Bombay High Court Order dated 09/01/2024 in Writ Petition no. 2844 of 2023 which we have already inwarded to your office on 27/02/2024.

This to place on record that in response to earlier call letter dated 22/02/2024 from Rohidas K.Velip, PSI on the same matter we visited Harbour Coastal Security Police Station on 26/02/2024. During our time at the Police station we were shown documents containing internal notings by the Office of Superitendent of Police on our complaint dated 01/02/2024 directing Harbour Coastal Security Police Station to call meeting of both the Parties. 

Now we find this direction from the office of Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security extremely objectionable in the light of following context:

1. It is legal duty of the office of Director of Fisheries as well as Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security to prevent mechanised fishing within 5 kms from the shore as the the prevalent law in force.

2. There is standing order of the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court dated 09 January 2024 in Writ Petition no. 2844 of 2023  that has specifically alerted both Director of Fisheries as well as Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security against allowing any mechanised fishing within 5 kms specified area as per the law.

3. Inspite of the High Court Order mentioned at point no.2  both Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security as well as Director of Fisheries allowed massive mechanised fishing inside Zuari river to go on during mid-night on 31/01/2024. The digital evidence of the same with GPS locations of the venue of mechanised fishing within specified area is already inwarded to your office via our letter dated 22/02/2024 in pendrive. 

4. Following from above point nos 1, 2, & 3 all the details of the violations of High Order dated 09 January 2024 is communicated to your office in completion. All that your office has to do is initiate action and submit your compliance report to the Hon'ble Goa Bench of Bombay High Court. 

5. Hence the directions of Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security given via internal notings on our complaint dated 01/02/2024 to call for meeting of both the parties at Harbour Coastal Security Police Station is wrong and needs to be withdrawn immidiately as it is in violation of law in force and we shall be constrained to report to the Hon'able High Court the conduct of the office of Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security.

6. As the current matter in sub-judice state due to litigation at High Court via mentioned Writ Petition we will not be attending any meetings with those involved in mechanised fishing within specified area of 5 kms as there is nothing to be negotiated at all. So in this context kindly issue necessary directions to the Police Inspector, Harbour Coastal Security Police Station and keep us informed.

Additionally, if there is need for the meeting with our Union to discuss policy matters relating to preventive measures needed in addition to what contains already in our petition then let it be convened through proper protocols through the office of Advocate General to the Government of Goa involving also Director of Fisheries, Superitendent of Fisheries, Captain of Ports etc, and we will participate.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello

President

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary

Copy to

Chief Justice,

Goa Bench of Bombay High Court, Porvorim, Goa

Police Inspector, 

Harbour Coastal Security Police Station

Reply to police call letter on sub judice matter

26 February 2024

To,

The Police Inspector,

Coastal Security Police Station,

Harbour, Vasco, Goa

Subject: Call letter dated dated 22/2/2024 from Rohidas K. Velip PSI, Coastal Security Police Station, Harbour, Vasco

Sir,

Please take note of paragraph 07 of the attached Order dated 9th January 2024 of the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in Writ Petition no.2844 in connection with your call letter addressed to the President, All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union as under:

"In the meantime, we direct the prohibition as emanating from the notification issued by the State Government in respect of the use of mechanised 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."

Kindly take note of the above contents in the inquiry proceedings.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello

President, AGSSRFU 

Laxman Mangueshkar 

Sectetary, AGSSRFU

Copy to

Chief Justice, Goa Bench of Bombay High Court, Porvorim, Goa

Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security, Panaji, Goa

Director of Fisheries, Government of Goa, Panaji, Goa

Digital evidence on illegal mechanised fishing in zuari river

 22 February 2024

To,

Superitendent of Police, 

Coastal Security

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Digital evidence of illegal fishing in Zuari river in reference to our complaint dated 01/02/2024 to your office with regard to writ petition 2844 of 2023 before Goa Bench of Hon'able Bombay High Court 

Sir/Madam,

Please pendrive containing digital evidence illegal fishing in Zuari River for the purpose of prosecution and action against those trawlers and purse seine boats caught on GPS camera. 

From 20 February 2024 to 21 February 2024 some members of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) has received phone calls from someone claiming to be policeman attached to Coastal Security Police Station, Harbour, Vasco using mobile phone number 9922976943. Caller has been inviting our Union leadership to strike a compromise on illegal mechanised fishing at River Zuari.

We strongly condemn such invitation from this caller for compromise in illegal fishing in Zuari river and request your attention to the following issues:

1. Who authorised caller to give phone calls to AGSSRFU members to compromise on illegal mechanised fishing?

2. AGSSRFU if required to be present at police station, concerned officials of Coastal Police station must share call letter inviting for the meeting along with the purpose of such meeting with us.

Kindly note once again that we stand to co-operate fully with coastal security police to nab the illegal trawlers and purse seiners provided police follow proper procedure by inviting our Union with call letter.

Kindly also note that we will not tolerate any undue pressure from police to compromise with those committing crimes of illegal fishing through trawling and purse seine in Zuari river as this matter is sub-judice before Goa Bench of Bombay High Court via Writ petition no. 2844 of 2023 and we will report pressure on us to compromise to the Hon'able Court.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Copy to 

1. Police Inspector, Coastal Security Police Station, Harbour, Vasco, Goa

2. Deputy Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security, Ribandar, Goa

Protest against illegal trawling in Zuari

20 Februrary 2024

To,

Superitendent of Police,

Coastal Security,

Panaji, Goa.

To,

The Director, 

Directorate of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Objections to illegal fishing in Zuari river 

Madam,

Greetings from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union!

We lodge our strong protest against illegal trawling by six trawlers that was carried on on Saturday, 17 February 2024 night from 7.00 pm till mid-night. This is gross violation of directions of Goa Bench of Bombay High Court dated 09, January 2024 and your office is responsible for the same.

Kindly put system in place to avoid any such violations in future.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello

(President)

Laximan Mangueshkar 

(Secretary)

Ojections to AHOY Marina Proposal at Nauxim waterfront

 20 Februrary 2024

To,

Shri Aleixo Sequeira,

The Minister of Environment, 

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Principal Secretary 

(Environment)

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Member Secretary,

Goa State Coastal Management Authority

Government of Goa,

Goa.

Subject: Objections to AHOY Marina Proposal at Nauxim in Zuari river waterfront

Sir,

Greetings from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union!

We wish to draw your urgent attention to the pending proposal before Goa State Coastal Management Authority to set up Marina project covering over 1,00,000 square meters of zuari river from.

We wish to place our objections on record before your office not only because fishing communities of zuari river have opposed this Marina proposa of M/s Kargwal Constructions Private Limited since October 2010 when the lease deed was signed with MPT. Its over 13 years that fishing communities have opposed this project and made sure it doesn't see light of day as it will destroy local fishing based livelihoods.

We came to know two weeks ago through Government replies to MLAs Cruz Silva and Viresh Borkar in Goa Legislative Assembly that M/s Kargwal Costructions Private Limited has applied afresh in December 2023 before Goa State Coastal Management Authority seeking permissions to set up Marina at Nauxim. 

We came to know through above mentioned Government reply that project proponent has attached Environment Impact Assement (EIA) Report for the official perusal. We have studied refered EIA and wish to draw your attention to combined reading of pages 5.9 and 5.10 Tables 5.2 dealing with coefficient values foe impact Assesment and 5.3 dealing with impact quantification of Marina. The value given for impact of Marina on Fisheries is -2. It means Marina will have Permanent impact on Fisheries which is major, long term, negative and irreversible. 

So the official submissions of the project proponent itself has provided evidence of assured destruction of Fisheries Zuari river and you are requested to take note of the same and reject the permissions. 

We would happy to meet you in this regard should you need any further inputs from us.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello

(President)

Laximan Mangueshkar 

(Secretary)

Plastic menace in Goa rivers

20 Februrary 2024

To,

Shri Aleixo Sequeira,

The Minister of Environment, 

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Principal Secretary 

(Environment)

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

Subject: Plastic menace in rivers of Goa

Sir,

Greetings from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union!

We wish to draw your urgent attention to the Plastic menace in Goa's rivers. So much of Plastic waste directly being disposed in Goa's rivers has created situation so dangerous not only for our Fishing activities but also to the health of our all rivers and Arabian Sea. During fishing our gillnets trap so much of Plastic thrash including plastic bags. Often it is the case when we harvest more Plastic in our fishing nets than fish.

Moreover in several patched rivers bed is covered with plastics thereby disrupting fish spawning activities specially of various benthic species that needs unhindered direct riverbed access.

We discussed this issued in our Union meetings and decided to approach your office in order get Goa's rivers specially Zuari and Mandovi free from Plastic menace.

You are therefore requested to take all the required steps to address this problem including the following:

1. Ban on manufacture of Plastic specially bags in Goa.

2. Ban of sale and purchase of Plastic bags.

3. Ban on entry of Plastic bags into Goa.

4. Public awareness programs at all levels to educate people including households, ferry boat staff, fishing communities, students, religuous institutions, comsumer organisations, retail shops, coastal hotels, beach shacks, trawlers, waters sports companies, casino vessels in floating in Mandovi etc against dumping of Plastic in rivers.

5. Launch program to clean up all Goa's rivers of existing Plastic dumped and disposing of the same as per exiting regulations.

6. Introduction of river rescue boats on Goa's rivers to fetch floating Plastic.

7. Formation of special task force under Ministry of Environment to clean up coastal areas and rivers of Plastic menace.

8. Recommend to Government of India to impose ban on manufacture of Plastic as it has created consequences that are beyond control and we are at the receiving end facing negative consequences.

Kindly give up person hearing to discuss the above point personally with you.

Your timely and quick response will be highly appreciated.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello

(President)

Laximan Mangueshkar 

(Secretary)

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

Need to address delays in canoe fishing subsidies

29 January 2024

To,

Shri Nilkhant Halarnkar

Minister of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

Subject: Petrol subsidy for fishing cannoes...regarding

Sir,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) calls your urhent attention to the issues regarding Petrol subsidy as under:

1. Petrol subsidy for fishing cannoes given through department of fisheries is facing serious delays. Subsidy for the year 2022 is still not distributed even though we are in 2024. There is delay of two years. You are urged to direct Fisheries department to clear backlog of petrol subsidies for the years 2022 and 2023 with immidiate effect.

2. Subsidy amount for petrol that was Rs.50,000/- per cannoe was slashed down to Rs.30,000/- during Covid-19 pandemic even though that was difficult time for fishing communities. And this amount is still at the same level even tough Covid-19 pandemic ended many years ago. You are requested to increase the petrol subsidy amount from current Rs.30,000/- to Rs.75,000/-

Kindly oblige.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely 

Shaila D'mello

President

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary