Ban on the use of purse seine nets has triggered a row between two fishing hamlets in the district.
After the Sri Lankan fishermen objected to the use of the purse-seine and the minnow seine nets by their Indian counterparts during the first round of bilateral talks, the Akkarapettai fishing panchayat, as the head of all 64 hamlets of Nagapattinam and Karaikal, had banned the nets. It had also forbidden the landing or sale of the catch hauled with the banned nets at the Nagapattinam fishing harbour.
This move, however, has triggered protests in Nambiyar Nagar hamlet which is the only one that largely uses purse seines and minnow seines.
Speaking to The Hindu , Thiruvaraiselvan, panchayatar of Akkarapettai, said the move was to protect the interests of fishing community that included small fisherfolks. “We have already asked the government for a timeframe to phase out the use of purse seines. However, until such time, fisherfolk who have invested in crores on these nets, can fish and sell their catch elsewhere but not in the harbour.”
According to Joint Director of Fisheries Subburaj, the use of banned nets is a violation and the boycott from within the community is a welcome move.
