Registration made compulsory for fishing vessels

Thiruvananthapuram, June 7 (UNI) All fishing vessels operating from the Kerala Coast have been directed to register with authorities and take licence before July ten.

Speaking at a workshop of officials involved in the fisheries sector, State Fisheries Minister S Sharma said stringent action would be taken against those operating vessels without valid licence after the deadline.

As per the records available with the Fisheries Department, only 250 of the 3,450-odd mechanised boats in the state had registration and licence. There were more than 30,000 fishing vessels operating from the Kerala Coasts.

The Minister said registration was made compulsory in view of depletion of marine wealth, security aspects, intervention of courts and observation of the Accountant General.

UNI