They were arrested at Prampram for allegedly using fishing light attractors for fishing.

The suspects, including women and minors, were arrested in two separate exercises by a local watchdog committee set up by the Prampram fisherfolks along the coast.

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They were, subsequently, handed over to the Prampram Police.

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The Prampram Police Commander, DSP Issah Mohammed Cantonam, said the suspects had been granted police enquiry bail.

He said they would be prosecuted in court to "serve as a deterrent to all fishermen across the country to desist from engaging in illegal fishing activities".

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Some fishing gear and implements, including a number of generators and light attractors, with the canoes of the suspects, had been impounded, he said.

The arrests were in line with the Ministry’s efforts to clamp down on illegal fishing practices, which are adversely affecting the fishing industry.

Light attractors, when used for fishing; attract all kinds of fishes irrespective of their sizes.

The practice, however, threatens the sustainability of the fish stock and the fishing occupation.

Such illegal fishing methods, in 2012, cost the country in excess of €100 million.

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Though many fishermen over the years have complained about the practice by some of their unscrupulous colleagues, the practice has persisted.