Ramanathapuram fishermen impound Puducherry boat; hand over 14 men to Marine Police

A group of fishermen in Ramanathapuraim on Friday ‘detained’ 14 fishermen from Karaikal in Puducherry for breaching fishing zones and ‘impounded’ their boat. The fishermen from the Union Territory were handed over to the Marine Police.

Officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department said the fish caught by the Karaikal fishermen were auctioned and the fishermen were sent back home by road. Their boat was seized. The officials said action would be taken against them as per the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983, which imposed restrictions on fishing zones. The fishermen had travelled almost 150 miles from their region and reached Dhanushkodi. The local fishers confronted them and detained the fishermen.

Fishermen in Ramanathapuram accused their Karaikal counterparts of using long sized boats and venturing into the traditional Palk Bay area instead of resorting to deep sea fishing. Such violations continued despite previous talks between fishermen of both regions.

As per the law, fishermen from other regions are prohibited from fishing in the State’s coastal waters. Local fishermen claimed the Tamil Nadu government was aware of the violation but it had not taken tangible action against the Karaikal fishermen.

Fisheries Department officials said they would send a report to the government for action. The boat has been impounded in Rameswaram jetty.