Ban on fishing till May 31­

Boats take to sea after 'Ganga Puja' Visakhapatnam: Following the directives of the Central government imposing a ban on fishing with effect from April 15 to May 31, all mechanised and motorised fishing boats were anchored at the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour here on Monday. Talking to The Hans India here on Monday, president of Andhra Pradesh Mechanised Fishing Boat Operators' Association PC Appa Rao said that except country boats, all other boats were banned from venturing into the sea. Small boats with make-shift motors too were banned. The imposition of ban on fishing was to help breeding of fish. Mr Appa Rao said the boats would be taken out into the sea on May 31 midnight after performing 'Ganga Puja' on a grand scale by womenfolk. He asked the State government to help the fisherfolk by giving free ration during the ban period as they would have no work. To a question, he said the ban would help to have a good catch in future. Meanwhile, the representatives of Sampradaya Matsyakarmika Sangham submitted a memorandum to the Joint Director of Fisheries Department pleading to release 31 kg of rice to each family during the ban period. Sangham representative Bosanna alleged that though the ration was sanctioned, it was being released only in November and December.