TIRUNELVELI
Mechanised boats from Kanniyakumari district, which have been built in violation of State government norms with wider and longer body and hauled by high-power imported Chinese engines, are unleashing terror on the high seas as they indulge in stay fishing (fishing in the nights), country boat fishermen have complained.
In a petition submitted to Collector Sandeep Nanduri during the weekly grievance redressal meeting held at the Collectorate here on Monday, they said country boat fishermen from Koottapuli, Perumanal, Idinthakarai, Thomaiyarpuram, Koothankuzhi, Uvari, Koottappanai and Kooduthazhai, who were using only 20-foot-long country boats, were facing a serious threat from mechanised boat fishermen based at Chinna Muttom in Kanniyakumari district, as the larger vessels damaged their boats and nets on the high seas in the nights.
Though ‘stay fishing’ had been banned, the mechanised boat fishermen of Kanniyakumari were still practising it with the knowledge of some officials. Hence, the country boat fishermen abstained from fishing for three days in September and the strike was withdrawn after Cheranmahadevi Sub-Collector P. Akash assured them of stringent action against the erring mechanised boats.
Subsequently, Kanniyakumari Collector Sajjansingh R. Chavan told the mechanised boat fishermen that they should carry out fishing operations only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
“However, we’ve lost our faith in the officials as they haven’t acted tough against the mechanised boat fishermen,” the petitioners said.
Another issue raised by the fishermen was use of imported high power Chinese engines fitted in mechanised boats in violation of the norms.
“Since the boats are much longer and wider, they are powered by imported high-power Chinese engines. After the fishermen staged a flash protest in Chennai, action is being taken against the boats that have violated government norms. If the official machinery wants us also to stage similar protest to draw its attention, we’re prepared,” the petitioners said.