Country boat and traditional fishermen from fishing hamlets in Erwadi and nearby villages, staged a demonstration, displaying damaged fishing nets in front of the office of the Fisheries Department here on Monday. They alleged that their nets were damaged by mechanised boat fishermen and demanded action against them. Led by M. Karunamurthy, district secretary of the CITU affiliated Tamil Nadu Meenpidi Thozhirsanga Koottamaippu, country boat fishermen and traditional fisher women said that they had laid their nets on Sunday and returned when mechanised boat fishermen from Mandapam and Kilakarai areas intruded and damaged their fishing nets on Sunday night. When the fishermen went to the sea to collect the catch on Monday morning, they found to their dismay that the nets were damaged and some had been taken away by the mechanised boat fishermen. The mechanised boat fishermen have been restrained from fishing within three nautical miles from the shore, they added. A total of 56 fishing nets of 14 country boat and traditional fishermen were found damaged, they said and displayed the damaged nets to the officials of the Fisheries Department. They also alleged that mechanised boat fishermen had taken away more than 50 fishing nets and demanded action against them. Mr. Karunamurthy urged the officials to take immediate action and direct the mechanised boat fishermen to return the nets and compensate for the damaged ones. It is high time the Fisheries Department launch patrolling operations within the three nautical miles area, meant for country boat fishermen and protect their interests, he said and added that the officials had assured of necessary action.