Use of purse seine nets allowed till August 15

After the difference of opinion among the fishermen on the use of banned purse seine nets, there was tension across the coastal belt across Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts and the official who held talks with the agitating fishermen found no solution for the past few days.

However, on Friday a public hearing was held at a wedding hall in Nagapattinam and the fishermen representatives from as many as 55 villages were invited. But 120 persons from 50 villages took part in the meeting which lasted till 10.30 pm The meeting commenced at around 1 pm which was chaired by the Nagapattinam DRO Indumathi. Still, the talks went on without any decision even after 10 pm and so the participants who lost patience raised slogans and demanded to come out with a concrete solution.

The police tried to pacify them and later, the meeting decided to allow the fishermen to use the banned nets for 25 days from July 21 to August 15. The decision was documented and the participant counter signed to accept it along with the officials.

The officials also warned of strict action if they were found using beyond the date.

Among participants, 35 villages opposed use of banned purse seine nets while the fishermen from two villages like Sampantham pettai and Nambiar Nagar insisted to allow using the banned nets. While 12 villages urged a certain period to use the nets and five villagers had not participated in the meeting.