and the skeletons of creatures that trapped themselves in the net’s fine nylon filaments. Back on board, the divers free as many critters as they can from the net, tossing them back in the water.

Intentional breaches and natural wear and tear of nylon nets bordering the Sunderbans forests have dented the defence against its apex predator — tigers. The gaps in the nets are enabling the big cats ...

The move followed the fishing law passed recently by the Ministry of Environment and Water, which also banned the use of nets made of nylon in natural reserved areas, fish breeding and nursery ...