Panaji, Aug 3 - Fishing trawlers dotting the seas off Mormugao could lead to the port there losing a key global security code, the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has warned.

In a string of advertisements released in major newspapers in Goa Monday, the 125-year-old MPT said unless the Khariwada fishing jetty -- located within the port premises -- was shifted out, merchant vessels could drop Mormugao as a berthing destination on India's western coast.

'The fishing jetty has to be at a permanent location outside Vasco Bay, otherwise the MPT will lose its International Merchant Ships Facility and Port Security (ISPS) code compliance and merchant ships and passenger ships will stop calling at our port completely,' the advertisements issued by MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal said.

The ISPS code is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities, developed in response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks in the US.

'The frequent criss-crossing and operation of large number of fishing boats and trawlers have resulted in captains of visiting ships expressing grave concern about the security scene in the MPT,' Agarwal said in the advertisement.

According to him, alarmed by the increased movement of fishing boats and trawlers, an international cruise ship had heaved anchor from the port recently.