Illegal Fishing Intrusions Reported Off Andhra Coast, Centre Details Action

Fishing boats crossing invisible maritime boundaries have triggered recurring tensions along India’s eastern coast.

The Union Government told the Lok Sabha that Andhra Pradesh has reported occasional illegal fishing by mechanized vessels from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry inside its territorial waters.

The incidents include operations in traditional fishing zones and in the ecologically sensitive Pulicat Lake area, a brackish water lagoon shared by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, provided the details in response to a parliamentary question.

Marine fishing regulation India territorial waters and EEZ framework

Fishing governance in India is divided between states and the Union government based on maritime zones.

Coastal states and Union Territory administrations regulate fishing within territorial waters extending up to 12 nautical miles under Entry 21 of the State List in the Constitution of India.

Beyond that, the Union Government manages fishing activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone, or EEZ, under Entry 57 of the Union List.

States enforce their respective Marine Fishing Regulation Acts, which often include provisions to protect traditional fishermen.

Several coastal administrations have designated exclusive zones for non motorized and small motorized craft, restricting access for mechanized vessels in those areas.

These rules are intended to reduce conflicts and protect livelihoods dependent on near shore fishing.

Andhra Tamil Nadu fishing dispute Pulicat Lake and RFMC intervention

According to the government, Andhra Pradesh has raised concerns about incursions by vessels from neighboring regions.

To address such inter state disputes, the Department of Fisheries under the Government of India established three Regional Fisheries Management Councils, or RFMCs, through an order dated March 29, 2023.

These councils are divided into western, eastern and southern regions and serve as coordination platforms for states and Union Territories.

The Indian Coast Guard, India’s maritime security force responsible for coastal surveillance and law enforcement at sea, is represented in all three councils.

Issues flagged by states are placed before the relevant council for discussion and resolution.

Following concerns raised by Andhra Pradesh at a Southern RFMC meeting on August 19, 2023, Tamil Nadu initiated additional steps.

On January 31, 2024, the Tamil Nadu government constituted a district level committee involving officials from Thiruvallur, Chennai and Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu, and SPSR Nellore, Prakasam and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

The committee has been tasked with sensitizing fishermen and addressing disputes between the two states.

Tamil Nadu has also stated that enforcement action is taken against offending vessels under the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983, based on evidence such as photographs and video recordings shared by Andhra Pradesh.

Inter state coordination and action against illegal fishing vessels

The Union Government said coordination mechanisms are already in place to manage such disputes and prevent escalation.

Tamil Nadu has indicated that it works with neighboring coastal states and Union Territories through institutional channels to ensure uninterrupted fishing activities.

The state has also highlighted measures aimed at strengthening safety and livelihood protections for fishermen.

In cases involving Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh refers incidents of illegal fishing to the Union Territory administration for appropriate action.

At the same time, Andhra Pradesh is pursuing amendments to its Marine Fishing Regulation Act of 1994.

The proposed changes aim to introduce stricter provisions to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, often referred to as IUU fishing, within its territorial waters.

The government’s response outlines a system that relies on coordination, enforcement and legal reforms to manage shared marine resources across state boundaries.