Commercial fishing in Singanallur Lake continues despite the ban announced by Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development S.P. Velumani.
On Thursday, fishermen were engaged in catching fishes from the lake in coracles. They were also found beating the water with sticks to poke fishes after laying the nets.
The fishing continued in the tank despite the Corporation Commissioner K. Vijayakarthikeyan and other dignitaries attending a programme held at the tank bund. As per the announcement made by Mr. Velumani, the ban on commercial fishing was effective from January 1. The Hindu had visited the tank on January 3 and carried a report on commercial fishing continuing in the lake in its columns on January 4.
Responding to a query on commercial fishing continuing despite the ban announced by the Minister, Mr. Vijayakarthikeyan told mediapersons on Thursday that the matter had come to his attention. “ I have discussed the matter with the District Collector. An inquiry will be conducted based on which action will be taken,” he said.
The ban was announced as an effort to safeguard the eco system around the lake and protect native fresh water fishes.
He had also released hatchlings of two groups of fresh water fishes into the lake to promote reintroduction of native fresh water fishes.