Surveillance beefed up in Bay of Bengal

Surveillance has been beefed up in the waters off the Sunderbans and in the Bay of Bengal following the seizure of five foreign trawlers and the arrest of 137 Thai fishermen recently at Mayadwip in South 24 Parganas, official sources here said.

An assessment report, prepared by the Coast Guard said the Sunderbans and north Bay of Bengal are rich in marine resources which attract poacher and foreign fishermen.

Sources said since January, the Coast Guard has apprehended 15 foreign fishing trawlers worth Rs 225 million for entering Indian territory.

Security personnel have been allotted another vessel to step up vigil. Two more fast-moving craft for the Coast Guard are under construction and are likely to be commissioned by the end of this year.

The West Bengal government also planned to set up a coordination committee to protect the rights of Indian fishermen, enhance security and take timely preventive measures during bad weather, the sources said.