Question : Migration of Fishermen

(a) whether the Ministry is aware that there is a huge dip in fish variety in the coasts of Andhra Pradesh (AP) during the last few years and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Ministry is also aware that there is large scale migration of fishermen from coastal areas of AP as a result thereof;
(c) if so, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether it is true that restricting fishermen to fish only up to five nautical miles is also contributing to migration of fishermen and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Ministry is considering to revise five nautical miles and extending it to ten nautical miles into the sea for fishing; and
(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

(SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (f): A Statement is placed on the Table of the House.


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Statement referred to in reply to the LokSabha Starred Question No. 137regarding “MIGRATION OF FISHERMEN”put in by Shri BalashowryVallabhaneni and Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu,Hon’bleMembers of Parliament, for answer on 26-07-2022
(a):A study conducted by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) on biology and stock assessment recorded a total of 216 species during 2018 and 255 species during 2021 in the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and assuch there is no decrease in number of species in the coasts of Andhra Pradesh. Further, the total marine fish production in Andhra Pradesh has been increased from 4,75,401M Tonnes (2014-15) to 6,00,417 M Tonnes(2018-19).
(b) and (c): There is no report of large scale migration of fishermen from coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh (AP).
(d) to (f):The regulation and management of fisheriesupto 12 nautical miles in sea from coastline is governed by the coastal States in accordance with their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs).The coastal States/UTs are implementing ‘zonation of fishing’ under their MFRAs to avoid conflicts between different categories of fishing vessels. Such zonation of fishing areas are formulated and implemented by the concerned coastal State Governments in their respective areas of territorial waters under the powers conferred on them by MFRA. As per the zonation of fishing under the Andhra Pradesh Marine Fishing Regulation Act (AP-MFRA) the waters upto 8 KMs from the coastline is reserved exclusively for traditional fishing crafts.In addition, these boats can operate anywhere without restrictions. The motorized and mechanized fishing vessels below 15 meters overall length (OAL) are allowed to operate from 8 KM and beyond, whereas the mechanized fishing vessels of 25 gross tonnage and above or 15 meters OAL and above are allowed to operate only beyond 23 KMs from the coastline.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India has no plan to revise the limits upto 12 nautical miles falls within the jurisdiction of State Government.

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