Goa, March 27 -- The Cutbona Fishing Boat Owners Association convened to discuss the government's decision to extend the fishing ban period from June 01-July 31 (60 days) to a new period of June 01-August 15, increasing the ban to 75 days. After deliberations, the boat owners agreed to the proposed extension, but with two key conditions.

Firstly, they insisted that the fishing ban should apply to the entire western coast, including Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, ensuring uniformity across the region. The second condition is that no mechanized boats rated above 9.9 horsepower should be allowed to venture into the sea during the ban period, aiming to protect fish stocks and promote sustainable fishing practices.

In addition to the fishi...