Mechanized fishing boats across Thoothukudi remained berthed at harbor slips for a second straight day on Tuesday after weather authorities issued severe marine advisories tied to [Cyclone Arnab](/cyclone-arnab-trigger-rajasthan-braces-for-sudden-48-hour-weather-shift-5550).
The precautionary stand-down followed formal rough-sea warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department, which projected dangerous surface turbulence across the Bay of Bengal. In response, regional fisheries monitoring personnel instructed all offshore vessels engaged in deep-sea operations to abort their voyages and return to harbor facilities immediately.
Operational Standoff at Thoothukudi Harbour
The pause in operations began on Monday when operators of mechanized trawlers based at the Thoothukudi Fishing Harbour chose not to sail. Fleet representatives maintained the suspension through Tuesday as atmospheric and marine indicators showed no near-term improvement, according to reports documented by The Hindu.
While industrial mechanized fleets stayed firmly tied to docks, small-scale artisanal fishermen operating traditional country craft near Terespuram and New Harbour Beach conducted brief, limited runs restricted strictly to shallow nearshore waters.
Shore-Net Operations and Catch Reductions
Facing heavy surf, coastal crews turned to traditional shore nets—locally termed *Karai Madi*—to salvage daily operations without venturing into deeper waters. The method involves deploying a broad net offshore via small craft before a ground crew of more than 30 workers hauls the perimeter lines back onto the beach.
Despite extended manual efforts on Tuesday, yields remained sharply depressed compared to standard commercial hauls. Ground crews landed an aggregate catch of approximately 350 kg, comprising predominantly sardines, small trevally, and white snappers.
Coastal maritime agencies confirmed that harbor clearances for commercial multi-day vessels will remain restricted until weather tracking centers downgrade cyclone advisories in the regional maritime zone.
| Sector / Metric | Standard Operation | Cyclone Arnab Advisory Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanized Fleet | Active deep-sea commercial trawling | Completely suspended (Day 2) |
| Country Craft | Wide coastal coverage | Restricted to immediate shoreline |
| Hauling Method | Motorized winches / deep nets | Manual *Karai Madi* (30+ crew) |
| Typical Single Yield | Multi-tonne bulk landings | ~350 kg total (sardines, trevally) |
| Marine Advisory Level | Standard navigational notices | Severe Bay of Bengal rough-sea alert |
