Protection of Fisherman

Indian Coast Guard provides assistance to the Indian fishermen at sea while they are in distress. Their aircrafts and ships carry regular patrols to prevent Indian fishing boats crossing the International Maritime Boundary Lines (IMBL) and also conduct ‘Community Interaction Programme’ to inform the fishermen on the perils of cross border fishing. Indian fishermen are generally apprehended by foreign Navies when they have been engaged in fishing inside their territorial waters. 

As per records in navy, 35 Indian fishing boats with 200 fishermen have been apprehended by Pakistani Navy and 31 fishing boats with 123 fishermen have been apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy this year. 14 Pakistani and 119 Sri Lankan fishing boats were apprehended while fishing in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) since January 01, 2009. Enhanced aerial and surface surveillance/patrolling off the sea-coast by the security agencies would be continued to deter such incidents.

This information was given by Defence Minister AK Antony in a written reply to P Lingam and MI Shanavas in Lok Sabha today.