Fishing ban ends with bounty: Kanyakumari boats return with ₹5 crore catch

With the end of the two-month annual fishing ban off the Kanniyakumari coast on Sunday, the sea roared back to life on Monday as hundreds of mechanized boats returned with a spectacular haul worth an estimated ₹5 crore, bringing cheer to the coastal fishing community.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the ban officially lifted at midnight on June 14. Fishermen had spent the preceding days refueling, icing storage compartments, and preparing vessels. At dawn on June 16, after 62 days ashore, around 307 boats departed from Chinnamuttam fishing harbour.

By 9 PM, the boats returned with around four tonnes of fish, including premium varieties such as kingfish, pomfret, prawns, and shrimp. The harbour buzzed with activity as traders from nearby districts and neighbouring states gathered to bid on the fresh catch.

The seasonal ban, imposed from April 15 to June 14 each year, aims to protect marine biodiversity by halting deep-sea fishing during peak breeding season. It applies to mechanized boats across the stretch from Kanniyakumari to Tiruvallur. While the ban was in force, over 350 boats remained docked, with fishermen dedicating time to maintenance work like net repairs and repainting vessels.

This year’s post-ban catch has been especially fruitful, offering renewed hope to the community after a prolonged break.

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