The Hindu : All-out efforts to trace fishermen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 19, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

All-out efforts to trace fishermen

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI April 18 . The State Government is making all-out efforts to trace 12 Kanyakumari fishermen, who have been missing since March 19, the Fisheries Minister, M. Radhakrishnan, told the Assembly today.

Replying to a calling attention motion, he said the fishermen, who set out from Azhikal did not return till March 25. On a request by the Government, both the Tuticorin and Cochin Coast Guard units made intense aerial searches for four days but in vain.

When the State approached the Sri Lankan and Maldives Governments through the Government of India, asking them to find out whether these fishermen strayed into their areas, both the nations said they did not have any detail about them.

The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, who intervened during the Minister's reply, said Tamil Nadu fishermen were sometimes forced to cross the maritime boundary, as fish availability was poor within the Indian waters owing to overexploitation.

To increase the fish density within the Indian boundary, the Government envisaged a scheme.

Its successful implementation would improve the fish density providing enough catch. The State was thinking of extending financial assistance to the families of the missing fishermen.

Earlier, members expressed concern over the fate of the missing fishermen and urged the Government to take immediate steps to trace them.

They also sought financial assistance to their families.

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