Fishing communities along the coast are staging protests against the illegal use of ring nets, which they claim threatens both their livelihoods and the region’s marine ecology. Despite a long-standing ban and repeated interventions by authorities, the issue persists, leading to rising tensions in several coastal areas, including Yendada, Bheemili, Moolapalem, Vasavanipalem, Uppada, Mangawanipeta, and Nagamayyapalem.
The protests have escalated into confrontations between groups, with traditional fishermen demanding stricter enforcement of the ban. Community members argue that the continued use of ring nets depletes fish stocks, leaving them struggling to sustain their traditional way of life.
The issue first sparked unrest in 2014, prompting interventions to restore order. By 2020, the dispute resurfaced, leading traditional fishermen to file a case in the high court. At the time, the fisheries department reported that only 13 ring nets in the district held valid licences, while others operated illegally.
The court ruled that unlicensed ring nets must cease operations immediately and instructed authorities not to renew existing licences. Furthermore, the court limited the use of licensed ring nets to an 8-kilometer range until the expiry of their permits. This brought temporary relief to the aggrieved communities.
However, in recent months, traditional fishermen have reported a resurgence in the use of ring nets in violation of the court’s directives. Representatives from the fishing community have lodged complaints with the district administration, urging officials to enforce the ban and uphold the court’s orders.
District Joint Collector Mayur Ashok has acknowledged receiving the complaint, and the matter is now under review. Protests are expected to continue until decisive action is taken to address the concerns of the affected communities.
