Fishing Resumes Along Andhra Coast After 61-Day Ban

Tirupati: Fishing activities resumed along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Monday following the end of the annual 61-day fishing ban imposed to protect marine resources during the breeding season.

The ban, enforced every year from April 15 to June 14, aims to conserve fish stocks and support the sustainable growth of marine life. During the period, mechanised fishing boats, trawlers and the use of large fishing nets are prohibited to prevent disruption to fish breeding and growth.

With the ban ending on June 14, fishermen returned to the sea on Monday after remaining ashore for nearly two months. Fishing boats set sail from harbours and coastal villages across the state.

Meanwhile, the fisheries department said measures have been put in place to prevent the entry of Tamil Nadu fishing boats into Andhra Pradesh waters and protect marine resources along the coast.

Fisheries department joint-director Chan Basha of Nellore said two mechanised boats had been deployed on the instructions of district collector Himanshu Shukla for coastal surveillance. One boat has been stationed at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour and the other at Krishnapatnam Port.

He said patrolling operations would be conducted daily from 8 am to 6 pm to monitor fishing activities and prevent the movement of Tamil Nadu fishing boats into Andhra coastal waters.

According to the department, the surveillance measures are intended to safeguard marine resources and ensure that local fishermen can carry out fishing operations without interference.