The Goan Fishing Community, Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) has accused the Goan Fisheries Department of harassing traditional fishermen.

Matanhy Saldanha, the General Secretary of GRE, told TNN that fisheries department officials had confiscated fishing gear and equipment on the grounds that they were not permissible.

Mr Saldanha said that the government had no “moral right” to enforce such a law when it had proven to be so unsuccessful at implementing the Marine Regulation Act, 1981, to ban fishing within 5km from the coastline.

He added that the government had vested interests in protecting owners of trawlers and mechanised vessels. He added that traditional fishermen should be given a kerosene allowance equal to the amount given to trawler owners for other benefits.