Tamil Nadu’s annual fishing ban comes into effect

The annual 61-day ban on fishing in Tamil Nadu has come into effect from Monday. The ban is issued as this is the breeding season for the fish. According to the fisheries department assistant director in Rameswaram, M Gopinath, in these 61 days, 12,000 mechanised boats in 13 districts mainly in coastal areas of Ramanathapuram, Tuticorin, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore will not venture into the sea till June 15. However, the ban does not apply to country boats and those using country boats can continue fishing as usual. Till 2017, the ban on 1,076 km-long coastline was for 45 days and the duration was increased to 60 days in 2017. The government provides a compensation of Rs 5,000 to fishermen during this ban period.