Fishermen in and around of Chennai are now preparing to venture into sea as the 45–day ban on fishing is coming to a close.
As scientists found fish breeding to be active during April and May,fishermen by mechanized boats in the east coast of Tamil Nadu has been prohibited between April 15 and May 29.
The two lakh fishermen spread over 13 coastal districts of the state pulled their boats offshore and carried out overhauling works, apart from mending fishnets.
Now the fisherfolk across the state have started taking out their boats for a trial run after a month.
Fishermen had welcomed the 45-day holiday as it facilitates increase in fish production.There are over 50,000 registered fishing vessels in Tamil Nadu of which 5,596 are mechanized fishing boats.
The state government had announced that they would pay Rs 500 per family during the mandatory fishing ban period which benefited two lakh fishermen families and cost the government Rs 10 crore.
However, the fishermen’s dream of earning more money by having a bulk catch of fish after the holiday is not realized since the agents form a syndicate and bring down the price of their catch.
The ban came into effect after the Centre suggested it by a mutual consensus among all maritime States to conserve and replenish fishery wealth. It is being enforced since 2001 in the State.