Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 19: D. Ayyappan, Secretary CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee along with PK Khalid, State Secretariat Member of the Party met the Joint Director of Fisheries, Fisheries Department today (19.08.2025) and brought to his notice the various difficulties being faced by the fishermen of Middle Andaman areas. CPI (M) leaders told the Joint Director that fishing boats fitted with more than 30 HP engines are fishing in the territorial waters within 6 nautical miles from the baseline in Middle Andaman, which is prohibited under rule 5 of the Andaman & Nicobar Marine Fishing Rules, 2004. Due to this, traditional fishermen and fishermen of non-mechanised boats are finding difficulty for fishing in the sea. Their livelihood is adversely affected as there is competition for fish between the traditional fishermen and the high-powered mechanized boats. CPI (M) leaders urged the Fisheries Department to protect the livelihood of the traditional fishermen of Middle Andaman.
The Joint Director assured the CPI (M) leaders that appropriate action will be taken in the matter immediately.