Maharashtra mulls ban on fishermen from Kerala, Karnataka in its waters

Maharashtra is considering a ban on fishermen from outside the state fishing in its waters in order to protect the interests of the fishermen in the Konkan region.

In a reply to a motion of propriety in the Upper House, Minister of State for Fisheries, Vijay Deshmukh, said, "We are considering a ban on fishermen from Kerala and Karnataka fishing in the Mumbai and Konkan region." While raising the motion, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Anil Tatkare said that fishermen from other states enter the Konkan region and Mumbai and vandalise boats while also thrashing local fishermen from Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri.

"Speedboats owned by the fisheries department patrol the sea for more than eight hours every day, but these are not hi- speed boats. Hence, it is impossible to catch the boats from outside (the state)," Deshmukh said, adding that the fisheries department has decided to purchase new boats and make those available during the next fishing season.

"Technical staff will also be available to ensure the safety of fishermen from Konkan. We have arrested six fishermen from other states and recovered penalty from them," he said.