Karwar/Gokarna: Members of Karwar Troller Boat Union, District Traditional and Nadadhoni Fishermen Federation picketed the Baithkol Port and Tadadi Port respectively, in Karwar and Gokarna, on Monday, demanding complete ban on LED light fishing during night by few boat owners.

They said small-scale and traditional fishermen were suffering due to the unscientific fishing practices of LED light fishing during night being undertaken by few unscrupulous mechanised boat owners.

The protesters threatened that they would intensify their protest , if the district administration failed to bring about a complete ban on LED light fishing as was being sought by them. Though the Centre has banned fishing using LED lights, some mechanised boat owners have continued the practice of catching fish at night by illuminating LED lights to attract fish, according to the protesting fishermen.

The traditional fishermen use a small boat called dinghy to catch fish and the fishing activity is mostly carried out near the sea shore.

Exitinction of fish species

Traditional fishermen contend that due to the greed of few mechanised boat owners it was leading to extinction of some fish species which should be stopped forthwith.

Addressing the protesters in Karwar, Fisheries Department Deputy Director Santosh Hadapad said the department has already banned LED light fishing during night in Bhatkal, Kumta and other places.

Fines have also been slapped on such unscrupulous boat owners in some places.

If the LED light fishing boat owners continue to practice their unscientific fishing then the registration certificate of such boats would be withdrawn, he assured.

In Gokarna, the protest was led by P S I Santosh Kumar.

He demanded adequate security to the Persian boats at Tadadi Port.

In Karwar, the protest was led by Prashant Harikantar, Vinayak Harikantar, Sadananda Harikantar, Sudhakar tari, Somanath Mogere among others.