Mr.Parshottam Rupala, even after 2 Years, as "Union Fisheries Minister", ignorant about evils of "LED Light Fishing"!
Moral Of The Story : Never make a person who abhors Fish, as a Fisheries Minister. State Fisheries Minister Harlankar is defunct, like the sole Fisheries Department Boat of Goa.
Fishermen face the unexpected elements of nature on open waters, far away from any medical aid, gambling with their lives in hopes of a hefty catch and payday. The highest cause of death in this industry, as you probably guessed, is drowning.This is what Reader's Digest has to say, regarding the profession.
Till recently, it was routinely cited as the 2nd most dangerous profession in his world, but now, it's ranked number 7th.
The traditional fishermen of Goa, who along the 100 Kms coast line, move into sea, before first-light, sometimes as early as 0300 hrs, for their catch, return back to clean the nets, and then Fish is sold in the market, the very same day.They have been doing this for since time immemorial, earlier using wooden boats and oars; and now fibre glass boats and 9.9HP motors.
While technology like, motorized winch and lighter boats have ensured that, effort is lessened and catch is larger; but along the same time, the vagaries of nature and severe competition from larger vessels and trawlers and mechanised fishing has diminished the slight advantage they got from technology.
The Fisheries Ministry of Goa is almost defunct, not having even one functioning boat of it's own to survey and inspection; and is reduced to a rubber stamp, doling out government subsidies.
So, when the Union Fisheries Minister Mr.Parshottam Rupala came down for a visit to Goa on 19th May 2023, the local Fishermen folks were sort of excited, that at least their voice would reach some sane ears, but they, returned disappointed.
LED light fishing, which is rampant all along the coast of Goa, has lead to dwindling catch of Fishes for traditional fishermen, who go out daily in the waters, as long as the weather and sea permits.
"LED fishing" refers to a method of using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for fishing purposes. It involves the use of LED lights submerged in water to attract fish or increase visibility underwater during nighttime fishing activities. LED fishing is commonly employed in commercial fishing as well as recreational angling.
The process typically involves attaching LED lights to fishing gear, such as nets, lines, or traps, or deploying LED light sources in the water near fishing areas. The bright and concentrated light emitted by LEDs can attract plankton and small fish, which in turn can attract larger predatory fish.
While the Minister was presented with evidence of "LED Fishing" in Goa coast; it does not need the photographic evidence to validate it; one just has to stand at the coast at Pernem Coastline at night, and one can see a string of lights emanating from the sea, and these are all LED Fishing Boats.
Instead of having sympathy for the traditional fishermen of Goa, who have been from generations going out to sea, when such technology of mechanised trawlers and LED Fishing were absent; he instead commented that "There is a demand to permit LED Fishing in sea and it is a scientifically proven method for fishing".
Ministers in most of the State Cabinets and Union Cabinet are not appointed for their expertise in the subject, but according to their political strength and power to bring in more and more voters; and Mr. Parshottam Rupala is no different. Though, educated as a B.Sc, it seems he lacks both logic and knowledge of science.
He assumed office of Minister of Fisheries on 7th July 2021, and now almost 2 years of assuming office, he claims that, "impacts of LED Fishing will be scientifically evaluated and then he will come to a conclusion".
It's anybody's guess, what he was doing for last 2 years?
Nothing!
Very funny thing, is that, he is not even aware of, what is happening, globally!
LED Fishing has been severely criticised and antagonised world over due to it's destructive nature on marine biology and ecology :
1) Disruption of Natural Behavior: LED lights disrupts the natural behavior of fish and other marine organisms. The intense light can attract fish and other species to concentrated areas, altering their feeding patterns, migratory routes, and breeding habits. This disruption can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem.
2) Bycatch and Non-Target Species: LED fishing attracts not only the targeted fish but also non-target species and juvenile fish. This can result in increased bycatch, which refers to the unintentional capture of non-target species. Bycatch can have significant ecological implications, including the depletion of vulnerable species, disruption of food chains, and overall ecosystem imbalance.
3) Ecological Imbalance: The use of LED lights to attract fish creates imbalances within the ecosystem. It disrupts the natural predator-prey relationships and interfere with the natural distribution and abundance of fish populations. This has adverse effects on the overall health and stability of the marine ecosystem.
The way, LED Fishing can impact traditional and artisanal fishermen is such a common-sense, that, one does not even need to conduct a scientific study, after after 2 Year of assuming office as a Fisheries Minister.
1) LED fishing, if practiced extensively in an area, increases competition for fish resources. The concentrated light can attract fish to specific locations, potentially leading to overcrowding of fishing grounds. This makes it more challenging for traditional fishermen to access fish populations and affect their catch rates.
2) Disruption of Fishing Patterns: The introduction of LED fishing techniques disrupts traditional fishing patterns and practices. Traditional fishermen often rely on their knowledge of fish behavior, local ecosystems, and traditional fishing methods passed down through generations. The use of artificial lights can alter fish behavior and distribution, requiring traditional fishermen to adapt their fishing strategies or face reduced catches.
3) Economic Pressures: LED fishing, since more efficient in attracting fish, puts economic pressures on traditional fishermen. If commercial operators or fishermen utilizing LED fishing techniques can achieve higher catch rates, traditional fishermen face severe economic challenges as their catches diminish or competition intensifies.
But such simpleton and common-sense facts can be sympathetic to only those ears, who have ever been witness to the arduous task of fishing, or have gone out in the sea, in a 30-footer, in the company of men. Unlike, Mr.Parshottam Rupala.
Being a traditional Gujarati, he would even abhor the sight of a fish, let alone eating it and thus being sympathetic towards, Lac of traditional Fishermen along 6,000Kms coastline of India, whose entire livelihood and families depend on this.
Now, being at the ripe old age of 68, it is very difficult for him to spend even one day, with Fishermen of Goa, trying to learn, their hardship, as a fishermen; but even a few hours out at sea, can probably put more sense and sympathy in him, towards traditional fisherman of Goa.