Puducherry begins physical verification of registration of mechanized fishing boats

PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry government has commenced physical verification of registration of all mechanized fishing boats in the territory.
The Union fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying ministry has directed all coastal states to complete the exercise of physical verification of fishing vessels and submit status and action taken reports.
Officials of the department of fisheries and fishermen welfare led by director A Mohamad Ismail and deputy director (mechanization) G Rajendiran inspected the mechanized fishing boats, including FRP gill netters, anchored at Thengathittu fishermen harbour and Uppalam commercial port and verified their registration certificates on Monday.The department has formed seven teams to check the registration of mechanized boats.
The department has proposed to institute an inquiry if the boat owners fail to submit their registration certificates.
The department will either renew or delete their registration based on the outcome of the inquiry. The department will undertake similar exercises in Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
The move comes in the wake of increasing incidents of the Sri Lankan navy detaining Tamil Nadu and Puducherry fishermen and seizing their boats on charges of fishing in the territorial waters of the island nation.