The ban on fishing, which used to be for 48 days from April 14, had been extended to 60 days this year following acute shortfall in fish population in the Palk strait and surrounding areas. Talking to reporters here, Assistant Director of fisheries Kulanjinathan said after analysing the marine wealth, it had been decided to increase the number of days on banning fishing from 48 days to sixty days from April 14. Meanwhile, commissioner of Fisheries Department Beela Rajesh said a fishing harbour would come up at Pamban Kundukal at a cost of Rs. 60 crore. He said the harbour would help fishermen to go to the deep south sea for fishing instead going to Katchativu area and getting attacked by the Sri Lankan navy.