‘Efforts on to secure release of fishermen’

The State government is in touch with the Indian Mission in Oman to secure the release of fishermen from Kanniyakumari who were caught fishing in Oman waters on April 26 by the country’s Coast Guard.

Sources in the Fisheries Department said that the boat Kavin Bright and men were seized for illegally fishing in Oman waters.

The gillnetter-cum-long-liner boat carried VHF sets, GPS and fishing gear. It had left Cochin on April 4.

No passport

None of the fishermen, including the owner of the boat Antony Xavier, has passports.

The Indian Mission in Muscat, Oman, is in touch with them.

According to local authorities, the fishermen, who are currently in the port city of Duqm, will be shifted for investigation to the Haima Police Station.

Officials said that all steps were being taken to secure their release.