Andaman warns against fishing in its waters without license
Port Blair, Oct 14 (UNI) Andaman and Nicobar Administration has warned fishermen against fishing in the deep sea waters of this archipelago without having proper licenses.
A good number of such illegal cases recently have forced the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to issue such warnings, sources said.
''Fishing without valid documents is prohibited and punishable under the A and N Islands Marine Fishing Regulation 2003 and A&N Islands Marine Fishing Rules 2004,'' an official release said today.
Many private firms from Mainland India are engaged in fishing activities in and around Andaman Sea.
''Only those fishers who possess valid Fishing License/Fisher Crew Identity Card shall be eligible for coverage under Centrally Sponsored Scheme Group Accident Insurance Scheme and all other benefits under the UT/Centrally Sponsored Schemes,'' the release added.
The fishers who are yet to take Fishing Vessel Registration, Fishing License for fishing Vessel and Fisher/Crew Identity Card have been requested to apply for the same and be in possession of the documents on or before October 31.
''Thereafter, strict action will be taken against those who are engages in fishing without possessing valid licenses,'' the official release said.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a coastal length of 1,912 Km and the Continental Shelf area of about 35,000 sq km. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around these islands is about 6,00,000 sq km.
forming 28 per cent of the total EEZ area of the country.
Fishermen from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have come to these islands either on their own or through settlement schemes of the Government.
In view of the potential and scope for development, Fisheries is considered as a thrust sector for the overall development of the islands.
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