K’taka trawlers fined Rs 13 lakh for illegal fishing

Porvorim: In the fiscal year 2024-25 (till Jan 2025), Rs 13 lakh was fined on four Karnataka fishing trawlers for violating Goa’s territorial waters and engaging in cross-border fishing.

In the assembly session, fisheries minister Nilkant Halarnkar said that action was taken against the violators under the Goa Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1980 and Rule 1982.

Two vessels were caught bull trawling, a destructive fishing practice that involves dragging a large net along the ocean floor, damaging coral reefs and seafloor habitats.

Ten Goa-registered vessels, including purse seine canoes, trawlers, and motorised canoes, were fined Rs 5,000 each in 2024-25 for illegally fishing in zones reserved for traditional Ramponkars and Magkars.

Harlankar also said illegal fishing using LED lights is being done in Goa. Shedding light on the steps taken to curb it, Harlankar said, “The fisheries department conducts patrolling on departmental vessels with coastal police onboard.”






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