The Fisheries Department officials seized three banned fishing nets and a fibre boat from the fishermen in Thaanamoorthikkadu and Velamangalam villages in Kolathur block on Monday morning.
On a tip off fisheries department staff, led by M. Kathiresan, Fisheries Inspector, and personnel from Kolathur police station conducted surprise check in the villages before the break of dawn. The officials seized the fishing nets (with small holes which will destroy the fingerlings) and the fibre boat. On spotting the officials team, the fishermen managed to escape.