Karwar: The ‘floodlight fishing’ continues in coastal areas despite Centre and State governments banning the practice.

Traditional fishermen are opposing this, and have approached the deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner, and tahsildar to put an end to the floodlight fishing.

Government officials, though, claim that action is being taken against the persons for violating government order.

Generators in boats

Speaking to Reporters, Deputy Director of Fisheries Department, Santosh Koppad said generators kept in the boats engaged in floodlight fishing were being confiscated and fines imposed.

“If the menace further continues, we would have no other option but to cancel the licence of boats,” the official further said.

According to a fisherman, majority of persons involved in floodlight fishing are from Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Odisha. 
“They invest close to Rs 1.25 crore on each boat, and they indulge in light fishing in order to recover their capital,” he added.

Persian boats with 46 mm hole in the middle are taken to deep sea in the middle of night. Floodlights are attached to the structure of the boat above the water or suspended underwater and used to attract fish and other water species to specific areas in order to harvest them.

DHNS