KOCHI:The Marine Enforcement Wing under Fisheries Department has taken three fishing boats into custody on Saturday for illegally netting small fishes to be suppled to factories manufacturing poultry feed.
The boats were seized when they arrived at Munambam harbour on charges of violating KMFR Act.
Marine Enforcement officials said that fishing boats identified as King, Sealord and Heziya and the crew based in Munambam were taken into custody for carrying out the activity.
The Enforcement team led by CI K M Sajeevan and Fisheries assistant director Saji conducted the operation.
The boats would be released only after registering case against the owners and imposing fine, the officials said. In the last few months, cases of similar nature were reported from different harbours of the state. The poultry factories are mainly based in Mangalore. During the lean period the fishermen net small fishes on the basis of demand from these factories.Patrolling at Munambam-Vypeen area have been strengthened on the basis of reports of such illegal netting of small fishes, said the Enforcement officials.