Fishermen caught violating ban

Visakhapatnam: The fisheries department personnel on Friday seized fish worth Rs 30,000 and slapped a penalty of Rs 2,500 each on two boat owners on Friday for violating the annual ban.

The annual ban on fishing , a part of conservation, is in force from April 15 till June 15. Except for catamarans, no mechanised or motor boat would be allowed during this period.  Srinivasa Rao, joint director of fisheries, Srikakulam district said it was quite unusual for fishermen to venture during the conservation period. There is an increased awareness and the State government announced Rs 10,000 to each fisherman to compensate for the loss during the ban. He said that his department got information about deep fishing and lay in wait on the shore to seize the harvest at Kotta Kalingapatnam under Kaviti mandal in Srikakulam district.

“We seized Rs 30,000 worth fish and sold it in auction which fetched the department Rs 25,000," said the joint director.