Tension prevails in Visakhapatnam as row over use of ring seine intensifies

Visakhapatnam:Mild tension prevailed in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday as row over use of ring seine net intensifies between fishermen communities located at Pedajalaripeta and Vasavanipalem.

When the fishermen from Vasavanipalem set out for fishing into the sea using ring seine, they were stopped by the fishermen from Pedajalaripeta. About 100 boats were engaged to stop the fishing activity of the Vasavanipalem fishermen. They were asked to discontinue fishing using ring seine net and return to the shore.

Laying emphasis on using gillnet and other traditional fishing gear, fishermen from Pedajalaripeta pointed out that ring seine net has negative impact on fish stocks that involves catching even non-target species and hence the net should not be used for fishing.

Meanwhile, police intervened and brought the situation under control.

Fishermen from Vasavanipalem, who went for fishing in nine boats, returned to the shore, discontinuing the fishing.