2 boats from Kerala seized in M'lore

The coastal security police seized two boats from Kerala which were engaged in fishing cuttle fish using illegal method and had entered the South Wharf, for unloading, here on Tuesday.

According to the Coastal Security Police, the boats from Kerala were not given permission to unload the catch in Mangalore. “A fishermen leader had complained on the boat engaged in catching cuttle fish using the untraditional method, which is banned. Accordingly, we have seized the boat, which had 15 members, and handed it over to the Fisheries department, to initiate action,” the police said.

While one of the trawl boats was owned by Varghese Antony from Varoor, another was owned by Sainaz.

It was said that the cuttle fish from two boats was auctioned for Rs 2.5 lakh.
Out of the two boats, one boat did not have required documents. The boat which had documents is likely to be imposed a fine, said a CSP personnel.

The illegal method of catching cuttlefish known as chouri locally, involves dropping the trunk of coconut palm in waters near boulders. Such method has been banned.

KFDC Chairman Nithin Kumar alleged that the fishermen had voluntarily stopped capturing cuttle fish using the illegal method six to seven years ago in Mangalore. However, the fishermen from Kerala are engaged in such catch, he alleged.