Lok Sabha Question No. 556 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Custody of Fishing Boats in Foreign Land
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.556 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2022

## CUSTODY OF FISHING BOATS IN FOREIGN LAND

## 556. SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the   details   of   Indian   Fisherman   and   Fishing   boats   held   under   custody in foreign land during the last five years;

(b) whether   any   steps   have   been   taken   for   the   release   of   the   captured fisherman and their fishing boats;

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether  any   procedure   has   been   developed   by   the   Government   to   deal with this recurrent issue in a timely manner; and

- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a) to (e) As per the information available with the Ministry, a total of 3936 Indian fishermen and 468 fishing boats were apprehended in foreign land during the last five years. Indian fishermen are generally apprehended by countries on charges of allegedly fishing in their territorial waters and cases are filed related to illegal fishing, trespassing, crossing the international maritime boundary line illegally, etc under the respective Acts of the particular countries. The Government attaches highest priority to   the   safety,   security   and   welfare   of   Indian   fishermen.   As   soon   as   cases   of apprehension of Indian fishermen and their fishing boats are reported, immediate steps are taken by Indian Missions and Posts to seek consular access, ensure their welfare and also pursue their early release and repatriation along with their boats. Consular Officers of Missions/Posts make regular visits to local jails and detention centers to ascertain the condition of Indian fishermen lodged there and provide requisite help and support, including legal assistance in deserving cases. Missions/

Posts   abroad   also   approach   the   law   enforcement   agencies   to   complete   the investigation  and  judicial   proceedings   at   the   earliest   possible.   The   focus   of   the Government's efforts is on securing the early release of fishermen. Steps are taken regularly by the Indian Coast Guard to guide Indian fishermen not to cross the perceived International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) through various community interaction programmes for the fishing community. The Indian Coast Guard ships and aircrafts maintain close surveillance along the perceived IMBL and shepherd the Indian  fishing   boats   towards   Indian   waters   to   prevent   their apprehension by Maritime Security Agencies of neighbouring countries. Given   the   humanitarian   and   livelihood   dimensions   of   this   issue,   the

Government remains continuously engaged for early release and repatriation of Indian   fishermen   along   with   the   fishing   boats   and   has   put   in   place   bilateral mechanisms to  ensure   cooperation   and   understanding   between   India   and   the countries concerned, to promote the safety and security of Indian fishermen.

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