During a surprise check at Sassoon Dock Saturday, the fisheries department seized 18 boats using purse seine nets, that have been banned for fishing. In an effort to save the fishing industry, the Maharashtra government had in February this year banned all purse seine boats and nets. Purse seine nets do not allow even small fish to escape, affecting the overall population of fish, according to officials. With those using purse seine nets are able to catch fish in large quantities, local fishermen using traditional methods have been complaining that hardly any fish is left for them to catch. These nets were adversely affecting the fishing industry, said an official. Fisheries officials said the seized boats belonged to someone in Raigad district and the fishermen using them were taken into custody after the inspection Saturday afternoon. Yuvraj Chowgule, an official with the fisheries department, said the resident deputy collector would decide on the further action to be taken against the fishermen, including the amount of fine to be charged.
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