Veraval: The Maharashtra Fisheries Department has taken stern action against several fishing boats engaged in banned LED light fishing off the coast of Veraval, Gujarat. The department has canceled the fishing licenses and vessel registration certificates of 6 vessels, and cases have been filed under the Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1981 (Ordinance, 2021).

The action was taken in response to a letter from the Indian Coast Guard Station Veraval, which reported the illegal use of sub-LED lights for fishing. This practice is detrimental to marine ecosystems and can deplete fish stocks.

The following vessels have been affected by the department’s action:

This action comes after the local fishing community, along with Junagadh Lok Sabha MP Rajesh Chudasama, submitted a representation to the union government on the issue. Strict measures are being taken by the Coast Guard to enforce the ban on line and light fishing, and speedboats are being removed from the sea. The local fishermen are celebrating the action taken against the migratory boats. DeshGujarat