Goa: Fishermen block channels of Mandovi and Sal rivers

Fishermen today blocked channels of Mandovi and Sal rivers by anchoring scores of trawlers and canoes in the water bodies to protest use of LED lights for fishing, prompting the government to ban the practice with immediate effect.
The fishermen sailed to Mandovi and Sal rivers, in Panaji and near Betul village in South Goa, respectively, blocking the navigational channels completely.
The protest affected the economic activity through inland waterways.
The protest was led by the fishermen organisation 'Goencho Ramponkarancho Ekvott' or GRE (Unity of Goan Fishermen).
Fishermen resorted to the stir as their demand for banning the use of LEDs for fishing in deep waters by a section of trawler owners was not fulfilled.

On Monday, the organisation had threatened to launch protest if their demand is not met by today.

Rattled by the protest, State Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado today asked his department to issue the notification banning use of LEDs for fishing.
The government also assured to look into the demand of banning 'bull trawling' off Goa coast as it has been affecting the livelihood of traditional fishermen who put the net on the shore.
In bull trawling, two marginally big-sized boats tie the net and drag it for kilometres together to bag the entire shoal of fish.
"The ban on LED lights will come into effect immediately. The instructions are also issued to both the district collectors to ensure that the order is not violated," Furtado told reporters in Panaji.

GRE president Agnelo Fernandes said the agitation is being withdrawn for the time being. However, he asked the anglers to keep watch on government's seriousness towards implementing the ban.
"Don't force us to resort to such action again. Government should know that we are watching them," Fernandes said.