Ministers A. Srinath and S. Rajesh Kumar ar a review meeting with officials from Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department in Nagercoil on Monday.

| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGMENT

Fisheries Minister A. Srinath and Tourism Minister S. Rajesh Kumar have appealed to officials to accord top priority to livelihood issues of fishermen in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu.At a review meeting with officials of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department at Kanniyakumari district collectorate on Monday, they said that the district, which has 42 fishermen villages with a population of 1,43,388 with four fishing harbours including a private harbour, nine fish landing centres, 119 fisheries cooperative societies and 40 fisheries cooperative ration shops, should not be neglected and the grievances should be redressed. “We do not want the same issue cropping up again and again,” they stressed.At the meeting consultations were held with department officials on improving the livelihood of fishermen in the district, ensuring the safety of deep sea fishing and implementing new infrastructures.The department officials were also instructed to take appropriate action to register unregistered fishing boats.Mr. Srinath noted that a sea ambulance service should be implemented soon to enable those who are missing in the sea or fishermen engaged in deep sea fishing to shore immediately in case of illness.The department officials were further directed to prepare appropriate measures and project assessment to protect coastal villages affected by sea waves. He noted that major fishing harbours should be modernised and appropriate infrastructure facilities should be provided to ensure safe docking of boats.It was informed that the fishermen from Manakudy, who were detained by the Sri Lankan navy, will be brought to the notice of the chief minister and appropriate action will be taken to ensure their safe return to homeland.Mr. Srinath further said that due to ongoing Iran war fishermen are being provided only with 150 litres of kerosene, instead of 300 litres, and immediate action would be taken to rectify the situation.Kanniyakumari District Collector M. Prathap, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Director Vijayakarthikeyan, Kanniyakumari MP Vijay Vasanth and Kanniyakumari District Deputy Director (Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare) K.T. Gopinath and other officials were present. Published - June 08, 2026 09:04 pm IST