In a recent operation to protect Goan waters, two fishing boats from Malpe, Karnataka, were seized near the Nerul coast by Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE), a prominent fishermen’s group. The vessels, found to be illegally fishing in the area, were brought to the Panaji Fisheries jetty with catches worth lakhs. This seizure followed an increase in illegal fishing incidents involving boats from neighboring states, raising concerns among Goan fishermen over depleted fish stocks.

During the raid, local fishermen noted that the Malpe boats used LED lights, a practice banned in Goa since 2016 due to its disruptive impact on marine life. The Fisheries Department and coastal security forces, working alongside GRE members, have pledged stricter enforcement to curb illegal fishing in Goan waters.

Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar assured that further raids would target violators, signaling a continued effort to safeguard the livelihoods of Goan fishermen and uphold state fishing regulations​.