Rajkot, Sept 04: In an effort to develop fisheries in the coastal belt of Gujarat, the state government has initiated implementation of 'Gujarat Fisheries Act 2003' from August 15 last. Under the act registrations, the vessels and licences have been made compulsory for the control and regulations for fishing activities. This would help check utilisation of drugs and explosives and impose control over various systems damaging marine life and ecology, an official release said here. The fishermen will have to seek registration of their boats and licence before going to sea and any breach of the act would be an offence.

Similarly, registration has also been made compulsory for manufacturing new boats, setting up of boat building yard, processing plants, ice factories and allied industries, the release said. Bureau Report