Fishing operations by most of the mechanised boats in Thoothukudi remained suspended on Monday, in protest against certain conditions allegedly imposed by Fisheries Department authorities. Some fishing boats operating here allegedly exceeded the prescribed length and were fitted with high speed engines, sources said. Recently, a boat was seized on the charges of violating the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983, the sources said. S. Xavier Vas, president, Thoothukudi Mechanised Boat Owners Association, however, told The Hindu that the fisheries officials had called the representatives of the association to talks to settle the issues concerning fishing in marine waters. Since most of the boats had ventured into sea, all the representatives of the association could not attend the meeting. Hence, the entire fleet of boats had been anchored at the fishing harbour to involve the owners in the meeting on Monday. He said there were no more major issues concerning fishing here, and the talks were over. Fishing would resume on Tuesday, he said. Around 240 mechanised boats had been anchored at the fishing harbour.
2017, The Hindu