Latest news with #DepartmentofFisheriesandAquaticResources
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
TN CM urges Jaishankar to act over Sri Lanka's rising attacks on fishermen
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking immediate intervention to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of Indian fishermen following a spate of recent attacks and ongoing issues related to confiscated boats held by Sri Lankan authorities. In his letter, Stalin highlighted the growing concerns of Tamil Nadu's fishing communities, particularly in Nagapattinam district, where 23 fishermen were reportedly assaulted at sea on May 2 by unidentified Sri Lankan nationals. According to CM Stalin's letter, the attackers seized GPS devices, mobile phones, VHF equipment, engine components, ice boxes, fishing nets weighing around 470 kg, inverter batteries, cooking stoves, and even personal belongings, including gold and silver jewellery. "On May 2, 23 fishermen from the coastal villages of Nagapattinam District and their five county boats were attacked at sea by unidentified Sri Lankan nationals in separate incidents. Their GPS devices, mobile phones, VHF equipment, ice boxes, engine components, inverter batteries, stove, approximately 470 kg of fishing nets, and personal belongings such as gold and silver jewellery were snatched away. I request you to take this up urgently with the authorities concerned both in India and Sri Lanka, so that such instances threatening lives and livelihoods do not occur again and the attackers are deterred from indulging in such acts," Stalin said. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also expressed deep concern over a recent decision by Sri Lanka's Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR), which has recommended the scuttling of 34 Indian fishing boats seized during 2022 and 2023. "It has been reported that Sri Lanka's Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) has formally recommended the scuttling of 34 Indian boats confiscated in 2022 and 2023 as part of a project to develop artificial reef ecosystems. The loss of fishing boats will be detrimental to the livelihood of fishermen. I request the Government of India to prevail upon the Sri Lankan Government not to scuttle the boats seized from our fishermen and also to ensure the return of boats to the fishermen," MK Stalin said in his letter. Stalin further noted that as of May 5, 2025, a total of 229 fishing boats from Tamil Nadu remain in Sri Lankan custody. He emphasised that the Tamil Nadu government has already submitted a proposal to the Union Government to facilitate the repatriation of 12 boats cleared by Sri Lankan courts and to obtain permission for 14 salvage boats along with 101 fishermen to assist in the recovery operation. "I earnestly urge you to take up these pressing issues with the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure the security of Indian fishermen and to prevent the recurrence of such attacks, to stop the scuttling of apprehended fishing boats and to take all necessary steps to bring back 229 fishing boats apprehended by Sri Lanka," he said.
The Print
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Stop sinking of boats by Sri Lanka, CM Stalin tells Centre
Writing to Jaishankar, Stalin said there had been an increase, of late, in the number of attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan nationals. The chief minister demanded necessary steps to bring back 229 fishing boats seized by Sri Lanka and ensure the security of Indian fishermen and prevent recurrence of attacks against them. On May 2, as many as 23 fishermen from the coastal villages of Nagapattinam district and their five country boats were attacked at sea by unidentified Sri Lankan nationals in separate incidents. Their GPS devices, mobile phones, VHF equipment, ice boxes, engine components, inverter batteries, stove, approximately 470 kg of fishing nets, and personal belongings such as gold and silver jewellery were snatched away. 'I request you to take this up urgently with the authorities concerned, both in India and Sri Lanka, so that such instances threatening lives and livelihoods do not occur again and the attackers are deterred from indulging in such acts,' Stalin said. Further, the Tamil Nadu chief minister said that reportedly the Sri Lanka's Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has formally recommended the scuttling (sinking of ship/boat) of 34 Indian boats confiscated in 2022 and 2023 as part of a project to develop artificial reef ecosystems. The loss of fishing boats will be detrimental to the livelihood of fishermen. 'I request the Government of India to prevail upon the Sri Lankan Government to not scuttle the boats seized from our fishermen and also to ensure the return of boats to the fishermen.' As of May 5, 2025, 229 fishing boats belonging to fishermen from Tamil Nadu are under the custody of Sri Lanka. The Government of Tamil Nadu had sent a proposal to the Union Government for the repatriation of 12 fishing boats that were released by Sri Lankan Courts, and also to obtain clearance for 14 salvage boats along with 101 fishermen to facilitate the recovery of these vessels. 'We hope the External Affairs Ministry will facilitate this at the earliest. I earnestly urge you to take up these pressing issues with the Government of Sri Lanka, to ensure the security of Indian fishermen and to prevent the recurrence of such attacks, to stop the scuttling of apprehended fishing boats and to take all necessary steps to bring back 229 fishing boats apprehended by Sri Lanka.' PTI VGN VGN KH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Stalin urges Union Minister to protect TN fishermen, retrieve boats from Sri Lanka
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday wrote to Union Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar seeking his urgent intervention to safeguard Indian fishermen from the State and to ensure the return of hundreds of fishing boats apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities. In his letter, Mr. Stalin raised serious concerns over the 'repeated instances of attacks on fishermen' by Sri Lankan nationals, particularly highlighting a recent incident on May 2, wherein 23 fishermen from coastal villages in Nagapattinam district were attacked in separate incidents at sea. The assailants allegedly stole valuable equipment including GPS devices, mobile phones, VHF radios, ice boxes, engine parts, batteries, and even personal belongings such as gold and silver jewellery, along with approximately 470 kg of fishing nets. 'These attacks are threatening the lives and livelihoods of our fishermen,' Mr. Stalin contended, urging the Union Minister to engage with the Sri Lankan government to deter such acts and ensure the safety of Indian nationals at sea. Mr. Stalin also expressed strong opposition to a reported recommendation by Sri Lanka's Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to scuttle 34 Indian fishing boats confiscated during 2022 and 2023, under the pretext of developing artificial reefs. He warned that the destruction of these vessels would have a 'detrimental impact' on the livelihood of Tamil Nadu's fishing communities. As of Monday, a total of 229 fishing boats belonging to Tamil Nadu fishermen remained in Sri Lankan custody. The Tamil Nadu government has submitted a proposal to the Union government for the repatriation of 12 boats already released by Sri Lankan courts, and for clearance to send 14 salvage boats along with 101 fishermen to facilitate their recovery. 'I earnestly urge you to take up these pressing issues with the Government of Sri Lanka,' Stalin said in his letter, calling for immediate diplomatic efforts to ensure the protection of Indian fishermen, halt the scuttling of boats, and facilitate the return of all confiscated vessels.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Stop sinking of boats by Sri Lanka, CM Stalin tells Centre
Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take steps to stop sinking of apprehended Indian fishing boats by Sri Lanka. The chief minister demanded necessary steps to bring back 229 fishing boats seized by Sri Lanka and ensure the security of Indian fishermen and prevent recurrence of attacks against them. Writing to Jaishankar, Stalin said there had been an increase, of late, in the number of attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan nationals. On May 2, as many as 23 fishermen from the coastal villages of Nagapattinam district and their five country boats were attacked at sea by unidentified Sri Lankan nationals in separate incidents. Their GPS devices, mobile phones, VHF equipment, ice boxes, engine components, inverter batteries, stove, approximately 470 kg of fishing nets, and personal belongings such as gold and silver jewellery were snatched away. "I request you to take this up urgently with the authorities concerned, both in India and Sri Lanka, so that such instances threatening lives and livelihoods do not occur again and the attackers are deterred from indulging in such acts," Stalin said. Further, the Tamil Nadu chief minister said that reportedly the Sri Lanka's Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has formally recommended the scuttling of 34 Indian boats confiscated in 2022 and 2023 as part of a project to develop artificial reef ecosystems. The loss of fishing boats will be detrimental to the livelihood of fishermen. "I request the Government of India to prevail upon the Sri Lankan Government to not scuttle the boats seized from our fishermen and also to ensure the return of boats to the fishermen." As of May 5, 2025, 229 fishing boats belonging to fishermen from Tamil Nadu are under the custody of Sri Lanka. The Government of Tamil Nadu had sent a proposal to the Union Government for the repatriation of 12 fishing boats that were released by Sri Lankan Courts, and also to obtain clearance for 14 salvage boats along with 101 fishermen to facilitate the recovery of these vessels. "We hope the External Affairs Ministry will facilitate this at the earliest. I earnestly urge you to take up these pressing issues with the Government of Sri Lanka, to ensure the security of Indian fishermen and to prevent the recurrence of such attacks, to stop the scuttling of apprehended fishing boats and to take all necessary steps to bring back 229 fishing boats apprehended by Sri Lanka."
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
New fisheries and aquaculture bill set to streamline Zimbabwe's seafood industry
The government of Zimbabwe has concluded public consultations on a new bill seeking to streamline the regulation and management of the Southern African nation's fisheries, as well as standardizing fish production and handling procedures in its aquaculture operations. The Zimbabwean Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill – which is being promoted by the country's Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development – proposes placing regulatory powers for fisheries and aquaculture solely under the ministry's Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Production Department, as opposed to the current arrangement where several agencies oversee the country's fishing activities. Consolidating fisheries and aquaculture management under a single department 'will promote clarity, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance our ability to manage these critical resources sustainably,' Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Milton Makumbe said. Makumbe further explained that the bill seeks to address regulatory overlaps, such as several fee categories levied by different agencies, through the promulgation of 'a single, coherent legal framework.' 'The bill will provide a sound and enabling legal framework, anchored on global best practices, to attract investors and promote long-term investments,' he said. With the conclusion of public participation on the bill, Zimbabwean Parliament's Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Resettlement is expected to fine tune the document before handing it over to both Houses of Parliament for scrutiny and debate before a member vote. If the bill gets parliament's nod of approval, it is expected to be passed into an Act of Parliament by Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa. 'We see such bills as essential elements for the transformation of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, and to link it to the recent … blue economy drive, it's a gamechanger,' Blessing Mapfumo, the executive officer of the African Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society told SeafoodSource. Zimbabwe has received criticism in the past for its unorganized fishing regulations, which have caused overfishing of tilapia, bream, catfish, and more in Lake Kariba. To alleviate the issue, Zimbabwe and neighboring Zambia have been called upon to harmonize their respective policies on managing the lake's fishery in a similar fashion as the new bill is aiming to achieve. © Copyright The Zimbabwean. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
