The Andhra Pradesh government has expressed worry about Tamil Nadu’s mechanised fishing boats trespassing and engaging in illegal fishing in its territorial waters. Rama Shankar Naik, Commissioner of Fisheries in Andhra Pradesh, has written to the Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare in Tamil Nadu, urging immediate action to stop further encroachment by Tamil Nadu fishing boats. The unauthorized entry of these boats poses a direct threat to the livelihoods of local fishermen and undermines existing regulations.
The Commissioner highlighted that the continuous illegal fishing activities of Tamil Nadu’s mechanised boats in Andhra Pradesh’s waters are not only endangering the livelihood security of local fishermen but also raising serious law and order issues. He mentioned that similar concerns were raised in letters from Andhra Pradesh officials in 2022, 2023, and 2025, calling for a coordination meeting to address the trespassing and illicit fishing by Tamil Nadu’s boats. Additionally, the Commissioner drew attention to an incident at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour in SPSR Nellore district on March 18, where fishermen from Puducherry took away four detained fishing boats, violating the law and undermining enforcement agencies’ authority.
The letter further emphasized that the incident at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour has caused unrest among fishermen in 162 coastal villages across Tirupati, SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, and Bapatla districts, potentially escalating inter-state tensions if not promptly resolved. The Tamil Nadu authorities were also alerted to the ecological damage caused by the continued use of destructive fishing practices, particularly trawling by Tamil Nadu vessels in Andhra Pradesh’s waters. These activities are reportedly leading to increased mortalities of turtle and other endangered marine fauna, with their carcasses frequently washing ashore along the Andhra Pradesh coast.
