In its bid to have a foolproof security system in place to avoid any 26/11-type attack, the state Fisheries Department has made it mandatory for the fishermen of south Gujarat to carry a token book during fishing in the deep sea.

The department has identified 53 centres in the region where fishermen are required to report to the newly appointed fisheries guards before venturing into the sea and also upon their return.

Retired Army officials have been appointed as fisheries guards. They have been entrusted with the task of keeping information of the fishermen going into the sea and also mention record of their arrival date and time. The 53 centres — 35 at Valsad, 14 at Navsari and 4 at Surat — have been identified on the basis of fisheries landing points.

Sources in the Fisheries Department said the fishermen have been informed about the guards and the new system through their village sarpanch.

K R Sapra, Assistant Director, Fisheries department in Surat, said, “Now, the department is also giving license to the fishermen and registering their boats. Earlier, this work was done by the Customs department. The initiative has been taken keeping in mind the suspected terrorist activity in the sea.”

The fishermen have also been told to inform the guards if they come across any unidentified boat or ship in the sea. “We will conduct random checking in the sea and if any fishermen found without token book, we will take strict actions,” added Sapra.