18-05-2025
Kerala boat seized in Thoothukudi for illegal fishing
A boat from Kerala was seized in the waters of Thoothukudi on Sunday for illegally entering and fishing during the ongoing ban period.
As per the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1983, a 61-day fishing ban period has been implemented annually to protect the breeding season along the Tamil Nadu coastline between April 14 to June 15. The ban applies to all mechanised boats across Tamil Nadu.
While fishermen in Tamil Nadu have been strictly adhering to the regulations, complaints continued against fishermen from Kerala who illegally enter the Tamil Nadu waters, especially in the Thoothukudi region has always been a huge complaint from the fishermen community.
This year as well, local fishermen submitted their petition with Collector K. Elambahavath urging action against such violation. Acting on the complaint, Mr. Elambahavath ordered the fisheries department and coastal security group to conduct a patrol in the Thoothukudi waters and take action against illegal entrants.
Accordingly, during the patrol the Fisheries Department along with the coastal security police group seized a boat from Kerala on charges of violation of fishing ban period rules. The boat was seized about 42 nautical miles from the Thoothukudi shore, with 17 fishermen onboard. The boat was further brought back to Thoothukudi fishing harbour and has been barred from further operations.
Notably, this marks the third boat seized in Thoothukudi water within just two days for violating the fishing ban.
