Goa govt says it will regulate fishing industry

Conceding that there are "huge irregularities" in the fish trade, Goa fisheries minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues said on Friday that the law would be amended, if needed, to regulate it and bring down the prices.

Responding to several questions during a discussion on demands for grants of his department, Rodrigues said fish prices are high because of the middlemen.

There is a huge difference between the prices at the jetties and those in the fish market, he said.

"We will have to bridge the gap between harvesters (fishermen) and the markets. I have to consult the chief minister on how to regulate this business. If required, marine fishing act can be amended to include the marketing chain in it," Rodrigues said.

The fisheries department does not have any data on the middlemen in the fish trade, he said. Nor does it have any mechanism to find out the quantum of fish caught, he conceded.

"They should register with the department as I want to know who they are, how long they are trading," the minister said.

Conceding that there are "huge irregularities" in the fishing sector, Rodrigues said the government would stop them by introducing a transparent process.

"Our strategy is to regulate the fishing activity, thereby controlling unregulated and destructive activity," he said.