To effectively monitor the mechanised boat fishing at sea, a committee involving traditional fishers concerning country boats should be formed exclusively. Tension prevailed in marine waters off Thoothukudi coast on Friday last as fishing by some mechanised boats was done late night exceeding the stipulated time. Such acts violated the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act (TNMFRA) 1983, J. Gayes, president, Thoothukudi District Country Boat Fishermen Association, said here on Monday. The violation led to depletion of fishing resources in marine waters. Fishing must be permitted from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, he said. The mechanised boat was permitted to equip with engines of 120 to 150 horse power but they used engines with 600 to 700 horse power. Moreover, most of the mechanised boats were beyond 20 metres in length. Many mechanised boats remained unregistered causing loss to the government exchequer. The authorities should stop such illegal activities, he said. A petition was submitted to the Collector N. Venkatesh.