Fishing boat from Kanyakumari seized by joint patrol team

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A mechanised boat from Kanyakumari with nine fishermen aboard was seized while the fishermen were engaged in fishing along the East Coast, violating the ban on fishing in effect.

In violation of the 45-day ban period from April 15 to May 29 enforced along the East Coast of Tamil Nadu, the boat was found sailing between Kudankulam and Kanyakumari coasts. Enforcement agencies, involved in a joint patrolling, found the boat nine nautical miles off east of Kudankulam with the aid of Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vaibhav, Assistant Director of Tuticorin Fishing Harbour S. Sivakumar told The Hindu here on Saturday.

With the combined efforts of the ICG personnel of Tuticorin Station and Marine Police and Fisheries Department officials, patrolling has been intensified.

The seized fishing boat with the registration number of Colachel was berthed at the fishing harbour here. The fishermen aboard were held captive by local fishermen for trespassing and later they were let off.

However, the boat would be detained here until the fishing ban period was over as demanded by some fishermen. Five of the nine fishermen were from Thoothur village in Kanyakumari district and four were Kerala.

Fishing by mechanised boats was restricted at Kanyakumari, which comes under the East Coast. But, fishing activities were allowed as usual on the West Coast, which went beyond the Kanyakumari coast, the Assistant Director said.

C. Parthiban, president, Tuticorin Mechanised Boat Fishermen Labourers Association, said many fishing boats from Kerala were sailing through the East Coast day and night, and the enforcement agencies should prevent them and seize their boats.

The fishermen aboard were held captive by local fishermen for trespassing and later they were let off

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