Lok Sabha Question No. 5154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Illegal Intrusion by Fishermen
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5154 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  MARCH, 2026

## Illegal Intrusion by Fishermen

## 5154. Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy:

Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state:

(a) whether Tirupati Constituency, with a 75 km coastline and Pulicat Lake, has nearly 20,000 traditional fishermen who for over two decades have faced illegal intrusion by fishermen using 400-500 HP mechanized boats in reserved zones, causing damage and violent attacks leading to injuries and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has taken note that the such issue, remains unresolved at the ground level and continues to pose a serious livelihood and law-and-order concern; and

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to implement joint coastal patrolling, strict enforcement of reserved zones, seizure of illegal mechanized boats and establish a permanent inter-State coordination mechanism to ensure safety and livelihood security of the local fishermen?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) to (c): The Coastal State Governments and Union Territory (UT) Administrations are responsible for regulating fishing activities within Territorial Waters extending up to 12 nautical  miles,  as  this  subject  falls  under  Entry  21  of  the  State  List.  The  Union Government  regulates  fishing  in  India's  Exclusive  Economic  Zone  (EEZ)  beyond  12 nautical  miles  under  Entry  57  of  the  Union  List.  Accordingly,  the  coastal  States/UTs enforce their respective Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs) to govern fishing within territorial  waters.  Several  States/UTs  have  also  designated  exclusive  zones  for traditional  fishers  operating  non -motorized  and  motorized  craft,  where  mechanized vessels are prohibited.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has reported occasional incidents of illegal fishing by mechanized vessels from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry within its territorial waters, including  in  traditional  fishing  zones  and  the  Pulicat  Lake  area.  To  address  such, inter -state  fishing  issues,  and  in  line  with  the  advice  of  the  Inter -State  Council,  the Department of Fisheries, Government of India vide Order dated 29 March 2023 had constituted  three  Regional  Fisheries  Management  Councils  (RFMCs)  viz.  Western, Eastern,  and  Southern  RFMCs. These  RFMCs serve  as  platforms for  States/UTs  to collaboratively resolve inter -state fishing disputes and ensure equitable access to marine resources. The Indian Coast Guard is represented in all three RFMCs. Issues raised by States/UTs are placed on the agenda of the relevant RFMC for deliberation.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has indicated that the coordinated action is undertaken with  neighbouring  coastal  States/UTs  through  existing  institutional  mechanisms  to prevent  recurrence  of  such  incidents  and  to  ensure  peaceful,  uninterrupted  fishing operations.  Tamil  Nadu  has  also  highlighted  proactive  measures  to  strengthen institutional arrangements for safeguarding fishermen's safety and livelihoods.

Following concerns raised by Andhra Pradesh in the Southern RFMC meeting held on 19 August 2023, the Government of Tamil Nadu has issued an Order dated 31 January 2024 constituting a District-Level Committee comprising District Collectors and officials from  Thiruvallur,  Chennai,  and  Chengalpattu  (Tamil  Nadu)  and  SPSR  Nellore, Prakasam,  and  Tirupati  (Andhra  Pradesh).  The  Committee  is  mandated  to  sensitise fishermen and address fishing -related disputes between the two States. Tamil Nadu has further informed that action is taken against offending fishing vessels under the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983, based on evidence, including photographs and videographs, provided by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Similarly, the Government of Andhra Pradesh refers incidents of illegal fishing by vessels from Puducherry to the UT Administration for appropriate action. Andhra Pradesh is also pursuing amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1994, to introduce more stringent provisions for effectively addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing within its territorial waters.

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