Question : Prevention of use of Highspeed Boats

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING ??????????, ??????? ?? ????? ?????? be pleased to state:

(a) whether the fishermen have urged the State Governments to take steps to prevent boats with high speed engines from border districts of one State entering into other State for fishing in waters and if so, the details thereof and the action being taken on such boats;
(b) the number of such boats captured, seized and the details of the owners who had to shell out as fine for each boat and the steps being taken to ensure that errant boats that cut their nets from States do not enter their waters and to use traditional craft and smaller boats; and
(c) the details of steps being taken against use of boats with high speed engines in coordination with States?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

(SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a): The issues relating to unauthorised entry and illicit fishing by fishing boats of one State (i.e., Tamil Nadu) in the territorial waters of other State (i.e., Andhra Pradesh) was raised during the 29th meeting of the Southern Zonal Council held at Tirupati on 14th November, 2021. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has requested for stopping unauthorized entry and illicit fishing by Tamil Nadu fishing boats in the territorial waters of Andhra Pradesh and requested to ask their fishermen to fix transponders to fishing vessels and also observe the prescribed colour code for the vessels, to act as deterrent. In response, the Government of Tamil Nadu has inter alia informed that they have ordered 5000 transponders from ISRO and insisting on colour code and registration number on the fishing vessels to ensure that the problem is resolved.

(b): Regulation of Fishing within the territorial waters is a State Subject and therefore the details regarding number of such boats captured, seized and details of their owners etc. are not compiled by the Union Government.


(c): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has constituted a committee on 11th September, 2018 including members from Coastal States, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), etc. to look into the aspects of high power engine boats. The CIFT has made the recommendations relating to length, size and horsepower of fishing boats. The Coastal States were advised for carrying out necessary amendments in their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs) to maintain the uniformity of overall length and engine capacity of Fishing Boats registered under Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and to ensure sustainable exploitation of marine fishery resources. The Government of Kerala has already amended its MFRA. Besides, the Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have also taken action to limit the use of high power engine boats.

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