(a) whether the traditional fishermen of Andhra Pradesh losing their opportunity to fishing due to the introduction of foreign trawlers in fishing;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has received any proposal requesting the prohibition of fishing by foreign companies off the Western and Eastern coasts; and
(d) if so, the action taken by the Government thereon?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI TASLIMUDDIN)
(a)&(b): No, Sir. Foreign trawlers are not being allowed by the Government to fish in Indian EEZ, since 1996. Currently, the Government is permitting only Indian Companies to acquire resource - specific vessels through import. However, these vessels are not allowed to fish within the territorial waters of A.P. as it is the area exclusively reserved for fishing by traditional and small-mechanized fishing vessels, as per the Marine Fishing Regulation Act of A.P.
(c)&(d): Representations/questions have been received requesting prohibition of fishing by foreign companies in Indian waters, which were replied by furnishing facts as stated in answer to parts (a) & (b) above.