Monday, November 9, 2020

Take action against errant officers who turned a blind eye to illegal fishing: High Court orders Chief Secretary

Fishing by hundreds of purse seine boats:

Due to Corona, the Epidemic Prevention Act has been implemented in the state. However, in violation of this law and social distancing, Tandel has alleged that hundreds of purse seine boats were going to Mirkarwada Jyoti and Sakhri Nate ports in Ratnagiri district during April to May for illegal purse seine fishing. He has also said that the then Fisheries Commissioner ignored this.

Palghar, 8 (Reporter) :

The High Court ordered the Chief Secretary of the State Government and the District Collector of Raigad to take action against such government officials for not taking any action during the corona period on illegal fishing with purse seine and LED lights. The court has also directed that the report regarding this action should also be submitted to the court at the next hearing i.e. on December 1.

Damodar Tandel, president of All-Maharashtra Fishermen's Action Committee, has filed a petition in the High Court against the fisheries authorities for harboring illegal fishing. Although purse seine and LED light fishing is prohibited by law, these authorities have not taken any action during the corona period. He has alleged in the petition that the traditional fishermen of Maharashtra have suffered a huge loss due to this. He also demanded action against such officials under the Disaster Management Act. The petition was heard recently. Damodar Tandel has expressed the opinion that traditional fishermen will get justice if the court accepts the petition and orders action against the authorities.