Drones will be used to keep a watch on illegal fishing activities off the Goa coast, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the legislative assembly on Wednesday.

Independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco raised the issue, alleging that there was a nexus between some fisheries department officials and those involved in bull trawling.

`Bull trawling` refers to a fishing method where two boats tow a large net between them, dragging it across the seabed to catch fish. The method is considered damaging to the seabed and harmful to juvenile fish.