Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, May 9: In a strongly worded order, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Directorate of Fisheries, Goa Coastal Police, and the Indian Coast Guard to strictly enforce the ban on LED fishing, bull trawling, and pair trawling, citing widespread non-compliance and poor enforcement mechanisms along the state’s coastline.

The division bench, comprising Justices M S Karnik and Valmiki Menezes, also issued a slew of urgent directives aimed at curbing illegal fishing and restoring marine ecological balance. Among these, the court has mandated the setting up of a 24-hour complaint helpline — via a dedicated mobile number and email ID — to allow the public to report banned fishing activities in real time.

“The helpline shall be manned round-the-clock by a responsible officer to ensure prompt action,” the bench noted. All complaints must be entered into a register and accompanied by follow-up action reports, the court ordered.

Inspections will now be compulsory at all six fishing jetties in Goa, in addition to private jetties, to ensure that illegal operations do not slip through under the radar. Authorities have been instructed to immediately suspend fishing permits and registrations under the Merchant Shipping Act or Inland Vessels Act for any vessel found violating the 2017 ban order.

Expressing deep concern over the operational capabilities of the Goa Coastal Police, the bench highlighted the alarming fact that the force currently has only one functional interceptor boat to patrol the 110 km coastline and 12-nautical mile sea breadth.

“There is no enforcement machinery worth the name,” the court observed, noting that most coastal police stations are critically understaffed. The Goa Home Department has been directed to urgently procure interceptor boats and bolster manpower at coastal police stations to ensure effective maritime law enforcement.

The order comes amid growing concerns from traditional fishermen and environmental groups, who have long decried the ecological damage caused by banned fishing methods. The court’s stern intervention now raises expectations of tangible action in protecting Goa’s rich marine biodiversity.