A 45-day fishing ban in the western coastal zone of Kanyakumari will come into force today. The fishermen will not be given tokens to venture out into the sea during the ban period. A 45-day fishing ban for mechanised boats for fish species propagation under the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Regulation Act , 1983 was earlier enforced from April 15 in the eastern coast. Now, along with Kerala and other western states, the fishing ban is being enforced in the western coast of Tamil Nadu. The main aim is to safeguard fish in their breeding season and increase the fish catch. The ban will be enforced in fishing hamlets in western zone of Rajakkamangalam, Nidravilai, Kollengodu and Chiinavilai. Kanyakumari is perhaps the only region in peninsular India which is having both western and eastern coastal zones. Indian fishermen venturing into the Sri Lankan Maritime Territory and being apprehended by their navy has become a common occurrence in recent times.

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