Indian Coast Guard Nabs Unregistered Fishing Boat Off Vizhinjam Coast

The Indian Coast Guard intercepted an unregistered fishing boat, New Tharu 2, off the Vizhinjam coast. It was manned by an underage crew, violating the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act. The boat and its crew were handed over to fisheries officials for further action.

The Indian Coast Guard intercepted a fishing boat from Tamil Nadu, 'New Tharu 2', on Saturday off the Vizhinjam coast for operating without valid registration, according to a Defence statement.

Registered in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, the vessel was found to be in violation of the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act (KMFRA) due to the presence of an underage crew.

The Coast Guard's Interceptor Boat IC-309, while on a routine patrol on January 25, 2025, apprehended the boat, which was then handed over to Fisheries department officials along with its six crew members and 200 kilograms of fish.

(With inputs from agencies.)