India, June 15 -- The fisheries department has caught five mechanised boats for fishing in the high seas at Karanja Port in Uran, at a time when the annual 61-day fishing ban is in effect. The controversy over the ban has erupted once again with the fishing community from Uran, accused of regular violations, questioning it.

The action has been taken for fishing in the high seas of Uran, Mumbai and Raigad in the past few days. Boats named Jai Gauri Nandan, Ekveera Mata, Shri Jagrut Gaurai, Bhavani Jagdamba and Devachi Alandi are alleged to have gone into the high seas from Karanja port.

A fisheries department official said, "Following our inspection, we caught them when they returned to the port and were unloading their catch in the dark...