JOIN USActing on a tip-off that a group of fishermen were engaged in catching marine snails, a marine police team rounded up a group of 26 fishermen belonging to Pazhayar when they returned to the shore here with snails catch last night.
They seized about 700 kg of marine snails kept in seven fibre glass boats, police said. After warning the fishermen not to indulge in such acts in future, police let them off.
Marine snails are active scavengers that eat decaying organic matter and waste products in marine environment. These snails are considered very important from the standpoint of marine ecosystem and the food web.
Catching marine snails has been prohibited to preserve the marine ecosystem. However, since marine snails fetch good amount in the grey market, they are illegally caught.