T’puram: Three Tamil Nadu fishing boats and two auxiliary boats were detained by the marine enforcement patrolling team of the Vizhinjam Fisheries Station for allegedly using artificial lights for fishing in the sea off Vizhinjam.The enforcement team recovered equipment allegedly used for artificial-light fishing from the boats, Vizhinjam Fisheries Station assistant director R Manu said. The boats were also found to be operating without the required permits to undertake fishing activities in Keralam waters, officials said.The boats were intercepted in the sea off Valiyathura during a patrol conducted using the department’s hired boat, Sea Hunter. The patrol team comprised CPO A Anilkumar and fisheries lifeguards Suresh, D Antony.The enforcement action comes amid restrictions on fishing practices involving artificial lights, which are intended to attract fish and can affect marine resources and traditional fishing operations. Officials said the patrol team was conducting checks to detect violations in coastal waters and prevent unauthorised fishing by boats from outside the state.
