Local Canoes Become First Responders in Goa's Coastal Defense
For years, fisheries officials in Goa faced significant challenges in responding quickly to reports of illegal activities near the shoreline. Large patrol boats required substantial time to reach shallow coastal stretches, often allowing offenders to escape before authorities could arrive.
Now, the fisheries department has developed an innovative solution that leverages local resources. The department is preparing to integrate traditional fishing canoes into its coastal patrolling network, creating a rapid response system that utilizes existing maritime infrastructure.
Strategic Patrol Points Along Goa's Coastline
The department has identified five strategic locations as static patrol points where violations frequently occur. These hotspots include Arambol, Calangute, Benaulim, Baina, and Talpona—areas where trawlers from neighboring states often enter restricted waters illegally.
"We are working with the coastline, not against it," explained a fisheries official. "By relying on canoes already operating near these five locations, we hope to build a responsive, ground-level surveillance system that benefits from local fishermen's unparalleled knowledge of the sea."
The official emphasized that local fishermen possess a sense of the marine environment that no training manual can replicate, making them invaluable partners in this initiative.
Rigorous Safety and Operational Standards
To ensure effectiveness and safety, the fisheries department has established clear specifications for participating vessels. Each canoe must measure between 30 and 38 feet in length and be equipped with motors of up to 10HP. Vessels must maintain excellent condition with sufficient petrol available at all times.
Safety requirements mandate that every canoe carries at least two crew members and is equipped with lifejackets, lifebuoys, firefighting tools, and other necessary safety gear. Crew members must carry Aadhaar identification, while vessels require valid registration and fishing licenses.
Fishermen participating in the program will serve as first responders, transporting patrolling teams to areas where suspicious activity is reported. Their local knowledge and rapid deployment capability will enable authorities to reach violation hotspots within minutes rather than hours.
Comprehensive Payment and Monitoring System
The department has developed a transparent system for compensating canoe owners. Quotations must include all relevant costs such as hire charges, fuel expenses, crew wages, and applicable taxes. These quotations will remain valid for one year, with payment made based on actual usage verified through daily reports from fisheries officials.
This systematic approach ensures accountability while providing fair compensation to local fishermen contributing to coastal protection efforts.
Broader Strategy Against Illegal Fishing
Illegal near-shore fishing has long threatened both local livelihoods and juvenile fish populations in Goa's waters. The canoe initiative represents one component of a comprehensive strategy to combat these illegal activities.
"With traditional canoes now entering the picture, we are simultaneously progressing toward implementing drone surveillance across Goa's coastal areas," the fisheries official revealed. This multi-layered approach will create overlapping monitoring systems for enhanced enforcement.
As previously reported by TOI on June 13, the fisheries department is procuring drones to monitor illegal fishing activities in state waters. Trial runs were successfully conducted in April and May at the Panaji jetty by the fisheries department's head office.
The expanded surveillance program will target specific illegal practices including fishing using LED lights, bull trawling, and cross-border fishing operations. By combining traditional local knowledge with modern technology, Goa aims to create a robust defense system for its precious marine resources.
