AP Coastline and Marine Wealth Belong to Local Fishermen: CM

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and livelihoods of fishermen while ensuring their active participation in the development of the state’s coastline. Addressing the ‘Matsyakarula Sevalo’ public meeting at Thummalapenta village in Nellore district’s Kavali constituency, the Chief Minister announced several welfare and infrastructure initiatives for the fishing community.

As part of the fishing ban relief scheme, the government released ₹261.50 crore directly into the bank accounts of 1,30,796 fishermen families across the state. The financial assistance provided during the annual fishing ban period has been increased from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per family.

Highlighting the need to safeguard Andhra Pradesh’s marine resources, the Chief Minister warned against illegal entry of boats from neighbouring states into local waters. To strengthen coastal security , the government has formed a Joint Action Task Force involving the Marine Police, Fisheries and Forest departments along with local fishermen. Advanced surveillance systems, including drones, satellite monitoring and GPS-enabled transponders, are also being deployed to enhance safety at sea.

In a major push for women’s economic empowerment, Chandrababu announced the promotion of seaweed cultivation among women from fishermen families. With support from the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), women and DWCRA groups will receive training and infrastructure assistance to take up seaweed farming as an additional source of income.

The Chief Minister further stated that the government would provide mechanised boats with subsidy support to modernise fishing operations. Diesel subsidy for mechanised and motorised boats will also continue to reduce the operational burden on fishermen.

Emphasising infrastructure development, Chandrababu said the state is investing ₹3,256 crore in the construction of fishing harbours and fish landing centres across Andhra Pradesh. As part of the project, the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour near Kavali is being developed to strengthen the coastal economy and improve facilities for the fishing community.