HC seeks report on plea to prevent use of banned fishing nets
Though a GO was issued in 2000 prohibiting the use of nets, the same is being violated. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy sought the report while hearing a petition filed by S John Moduthagam, a fisherman from Tirunelveli district. He stated that fishermen belonging to Koothankuzhi and surrounding coastal villages are using prohibited purse seine nets (surukku madi) and pair trawl nets (irattai madi) in their country crafts, thereby indiscriminately catching fishes, including juvenile fishes, resulting in depletion of marine resources and seriously affecting the livelihood of traditional fishermen. He stated that unless the authorities conduct regular inspections, verify the fishing licences, registration particulars and available GPS records of the fishing vessels and prevent the prohibited fishing activities, the marine resources and livelihood of traditional fishermen will be seriously affected. Hence, the petitioner moved court seeking relief.
Madurai : Madras high court on Thursday directed the state to file a report on a petition which sought stringent action against use of prohibited fishing gear such as purse seine nets and pair trawl nets in country boats within the territorial waters of Tamil Nadu, especially around coastal villages in Tirunelveli district.