Politics · India Bureau
Andhra fishers demand legal protection for traditional fishing grounds
Traditional fishing communities in coastal Andhra Pradesh are seeking statutory protections similar to forest rights legislation to safeguard their livelihoods and fishing territories. The demand emerged during a consultation in Visakhapatnam where fishers also raised concerns about inadequate warning systems and lost income during seasonal closures.
LSN India ·
Traditional fishers from coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh have called for comprehensive legal protections modeled on India's Forest Rights Act to secure their customary fishing grounds and livelihood rights. The demand came during a stakeholder consultation held in Visakhapatnam where representatives of fishing communities outlined persistent challenges threatening their economic survival.
Fishing communities underscored the need for statutory recognition of their traditional access rights to fishing territories, mirroring protections granted to forest-dwelling communities under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Such a framework, they argued, would provide legal security against displacement and unauthorized commercial encroachment in their fishing zones.
Beyond territorial protections, fishers raised critical operational concerns. They emphasized the importance of timely early warning systems for cyclones and adverse weather that effectively reach fishing vessels at sea, potentially preventing loss of life and equipment. Currently, warning dissemination to boats operating offshore remains inconsistent.
The consultation also highlighted the economic impact of seasonal fishing closures imposed to protect marine ecosystems. Fishers demanded comprehensive compensation mechanisms during closed seasons to sustain their families when fishing is prohibited. State authorities have indicated they will review these demands in consultation with relevant agencies and stakeholders.