Lok Sabha Question No. 681 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Data of Indian Fishers in Foreign Captivity
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: T.N. Prathapan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.681 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## Data of Indian Fishers in Foreign Captivity

## 681. SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN:

## Will  the  Minister  of FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- ( a) whether the Government has any data of Indian fishers in foreign captivity and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has any data of equipment and fishing materials of Indian fishers under foreign captivity and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the usual procedures of the Government to resolve such conflicts and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government initiate a permanent diplomatic channel to solve these issues and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a) & (b): As per the information available with the Ministry of External Affairs, there are 266 Indian fishermen languishing in foreign jails. There are 41 fishermen went from Tamil Nadu in Sri Lanka, 184 fishermen went from Gujarat in Pakistan, 10 fishermen in Bahrain and 31 fishermen in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As per the data available, 1172 fishing boats of Gujarat State and 87 fishing boats from Tamil Nadu State are under the custody of Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively.
- (c)  & (d): 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 through Indian Community  Welfare Fund.

Missions/Post  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, if required. 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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