A mechanised boat, docked at the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: V RAJU
The Fishing Community Organisations Network (FISHCON) and the Federation of Indian Fisher Organisations (FIFO) jointly hosted a national workshop on government policies and fisher development at the Fishery Survey of India conference hall on Thursday.Sixty-four representatives from coastal districts across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Odisha, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh attended the event.FIFO president Vincent Jain criticised the governments for failing to implement welfare schemes for small-scale fishers and demanded fully subsidised safety equipment for all fishing boats.International marine fisheries expert Venkatesh Salagrama warned that corporate encroachment deprives fishers of traditional coastal and sea rights, and urged communities to secure formal government documentation for their maritime domains.National Fisherfolk Forum vice-chairman K. Ellayya stated that anti-fisher policies destroy traditional livelihoods.FIFO General Secretary Arjilli Das presided over the session and announced plans to compile participant recommendations into a formal report, which organisers will present to the Union Minister for Fisheries and Delhi officials in September.FISHCON honorary president Srirama Murthy and president Surada Rajarao also addressed the delegates. Published - July 23, 2026 08:15 pm IST
