Rameswaram Fishers Allege Their Nets Worth Lakhs Destroyed
Country-boat fishermen from Thangachimadam allege that mechanised boats from Karaikal damaged fishing nets worth several lakhs and seek compensation from the Tamil Nadu government.
The country-boat fishermen from Thangachimadam have demanded action against the Karaikal fishermen for damaging their nets.
In Ramanathapuram district, mechanised boat fishermen go to the sea for three days a week and country boat fishermen for four days.
But violating this rule, Karaikal and Nagapattinam mechanised boat fishermen stay at sea for more than 10 days. This affects the fishermen of Rameswaram island and Sri Lanka, who fish in the Bay of Bengal, Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar.
The country boat fishermen from Thangachimadam who went to sea four days ago were unable to return due to heavy rain. But they were shocked to find all their fishing nets damaged by more than 50 mechanised boats from Karaikal, which had been engaged in fishing in the area for the past 10 days.
They said nets worth several lakhs of rupees were damaged, destroying their livelihood.
Therefore, they said fishing rules should also be regulated for the fishermen of Nagapattinam and Karaikal in Puducherry, who are destroying the livelihood of fishermen in Ramanathapuram and Sri Lanka.
They also wanted the Tamil Nadu government to compensate the fishermen of Thangachimada. If action is not taken, the fishermen of Rameswaram island have warned of protests.