Panaji (Goa): Nearly 1,500 trawlers across the state will pull their nets off the Goa’s territorial waters, as the state government imposes 61-day long fishing ban starting from June 1.

The Goa government has issued an order banning mechanised fishing activities along the coast fromJune 1 to July 31.

The order is issued to facilitate breeding of aqua fauna as well as the safety of fishermen during the monsoons, which is predicted to reach Goa by June 6.

In her order citing sub sections (1) and (2) of Section 4 of the Goa, Daman and Diu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980 (Act No. 3 of 1981), with the aim of conserving fish, “the department prohibits fishing by fishing vessels fitted with mechanical means of propulsion and by means of trawl-net and purse-seine net.”

The order further states, “Except fishing by registered motorised canoes fitted with outboard or inboard motors of up to 10 HP capacity as a means of propulsion, using gill nets only, along the sea coast of the state of Goa and the territorial waters of the state.”

Further, the south-west monsoon is expected to hit Goan coast by June 6. However, the Meteorological department now foresees delay as the pre-monsoon showers are yet to be experienced.

Team TNV