45-day long fishing ban imposed in East Coast

The 45-day long annual ban on fishing in the territorial waters along the east coast of the country started from the midnight on 14 April 2014. This ban is imposed annually to ensure time and space for the fish and other marine life to breed and multiply. During this period, the mechanized boats are barred from entering the deep seas for fishing till mid-night of 31 May 2014.

Following the ban, more than 650 mechanized and 2100 engine boats operating from the fishing harbor in Visakhapatnam were anchored. The ban will be monitored by the State Fisheries Department in all the nine sea faring districts of Andhra Pradesh as per the directives of the Union Government.

More than 17 thousand people dependent on the fishing industry will have to look for alternative employment other than catching fish to keep going.

Andhra Pradesh under President’s Rule and model code of conduct for the General Elections under enforcement the fisher folk, this time; have not been assured of any relief assistance and supply of free rice during the closed season like in the preceding years.