Rameswaram, Jan. 16 -- Tension erupted at Rameshwaram fishing port on Thursday after local fishermen captured a mechanised fishing boat from Karaikal, Puducherry late on Thursday night near the Dhanushkodi coast.

Fishermen alleged that mechanised boats operating from Karaikal are fishing close to the coast instead of in deep-sea areas. They claim that these boats are catching large quantities of fish, severely affecting the livelihoods of country boat and motorboat fishermen in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu.

In addition to depleting marine resources, the Karaikal-based fishermen are reportedly using deep-sea fishing nets in Sri Lankan waters. This has resulted in damage to fishing gear, including nets belonging to Sri Lankan fishe...