The Navy has stepped up patrol in the Palk Straits to thwart fishermen taking advantage of the easing of fishing restrictions to engage in smuggling and other illegal activities.
The naval presence had been increased in view of the lifting of fishing restrictions on June 19.
They said that though the LTTE had been destroyed and was no longer capable of posing a military challenge, certain controls would be necessary to prevent unscrupulous elements from resuming cross-border smuggling operations.
A senior official emphasised that fishing movements to and from northern, eastern and north-western seas would be strictly monitored.
Responding to our queries, he said that recent reports had created an impression that all controls had been done away with following the armed forces’ triumph over the LTTE.
The Navy said that fishermen could now operate in the seas extending from north of Kokilai up to Nachchikuda. They also could engage in both day and night fishing, it said adding that special entry and exit points had been established to control the movement of fishing craft.
The Navy said that all fishing craft engaged in night time fishing should be illuminated and fitted with radar reflectors. Fishermen had been also allowed to use out-board motors of up to 15 horse power. Previously, the navy had allowed only 9.9 horse power engine capacity in northern and eastern waters.
Courtesy: The Island