Fishing banned in Tuticorin; CM reviews preparedness

Chennai/Tuticorin: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday directed the Coast Guard, Navy and state maritime police to ensure swift and coordinated search and rescue operations for fishermen, as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal may intensify into a cyclone. Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat, Vijay stressed the need to introduce accurate tracking technologies and upgrade communication equipment on deep-sea fishing vessels during the Northeast monsoon, according to a press release.

He directed officials to ensure that fishing boats and their engines were seaworthy before being allowed to venture out, and to strictly enforce marine laws. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the system could intensify into a depression and then a cyclonic storm, with squally winds likely over the Gulf of Mannar and Comorin areas on Friday and Saturday.

The Fisheries Department has prohibited fishermen in Tuticorin district from venturing into the sea until further notice. Officials are continuously broadcasting warnings, urging any deep-sea fishing vessels still at sea to return to shore immediately.

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