Fishing in sea banned for 61 days

Puducherry Administration would pay a cash of Rs 4,000 to each fishermen family in view of the 61-day ban on fishing which came into force on April 14 in all the four regions of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
An official of the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare here told PTI today that the ban will be in force till June 15 as it is intended to conserve marine fishing during this period.
Around 20,400 fishermen families would be extended the relief during the ban period, the official said.
Mechanised boats and trawlers and other bigger vessels would not be permitted for fishing during the ban period.

Normally the ban would be for 45 days from April 14 but now it has been raised to 61 days. Owners of mechanised boats and trawlers would be provided a relief package for maintenance of the bigger vessels.
Meanwhile, Congress has asked government to considerably raise cash relief from present Rs 4000 as the ban period has been extended to 61 days against usual term of 45 days.
PCC president A V Subramanian demanded that the Central government scrap the B Meenakumari Committee report on deep sea fishing as the report, if implemented, would deprive traditional fishermen of their sources of livelihood.

AIADMK legislator A Anbalagan demanded hike in relief package to the fishermen families in Puducherry during the ban period from Rs 4000 to Rs 7000.