Fishermen stop Goa lorries carrying fish in Karwar

Fishermen and fish traders, on Saturday, stopped lorries carrying fish, coming from Goa, as a mark of protest against the ban on the product from other states imposed by the neighbouring state.

Hundreds of fishermen from Bhatkal, Honnavar, Belekeri, Ankola and Karwar took part in the protest held on National Highway 66. The police intervened and convinced the drivers of lorries to drive their vehicles back to the place of origin.

The protesters warned that the lorries would not be allowed to enter the state till Goa lifts the ban. They said that their future course of action would depemd on the government’s response to the issue.

Formalin, a preservative, was found in the samples of fish sold in the markets of Goa a few months ago. This was followed by the Goa government imposing a ban on fish from other states, on October 28. More than 50 lorries transporting fish were sent back at night that day.

The neighbouring state has made it mandatory for fish traders to register with its drugs control directorate.

It also has made it compulsory for fish to be transported in closed containers, besides insisting that fish lorries bound for Goa should have a certificate from the drugs control directorate of Goa or the state of origin.