Violating rules, hundreds of fishermen in the island ventured into the sea for fishing on Sunday night, hours before the 45- day ban period drew to a close after midnight and without obtaining fishing permits from the fisheries department, looking for more catch. The fisheries department had instructed the fishermen that the ban would end on Sunday midnight and they could set out for fishing after obtaining permits on Monday morning but the fishermen, ignoring the instruction, set out for fishing late on Sunday evening itself. The fishermen leaders had also instructed the fishermen to set out for fishing only after obtaining permits, but on learning that their counterparts in Pudukottai district had ventured into the sea on Sunday evening, they too set out, fearing that they would miss the first day catch. They could not prevent the fishermen from venturing into the sea after reports reached the island that fishermen from Jagadapattinam and Kottaipattinam areas had already gone for fishing, fishermen leader P. Sesu Raja said. The fishermen failed to realise that they were taking the risk of venturing into the sea without obtaining fishing permits from the officials, he said. The fishermen would continue fishing throughout Monday night and were expected to return on Tuesday, he said. A few fishermen, who returned to the shore after their boats developed technical snag, said the catch was not good. There was no report of Sri Lankan navy intercepting the Indian fishermen so far, he said. Meanwhile, sources in the fisheries department said the department was taking the list of fishermen who had left without fishing permits and contemplating action against them. After compiling the list, the concerned Assistant Directors of Fisheries in Rameswaram and Pamban would impose fine on the erring fishermen, the sources said. The jetties wore deserted look on Monday morning. Hundreds of fishermen in Rameswaram ventured into the sea on Sunday night, hours before the ban period drew to a close
2016, The Hindu