2026-02-18 / oral_question: Oral Question - Fishery Buildings and Fisher Support 2026-02-18
Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar addressed the government's ban on winch machines and detectors used by shore seine fishers, explaining that a six-month warning period had been given prior to the ban's imposition to allow fishers to seek alternatives. He noted that a court case has been filed against the ban and that shore seine fishers had met with the President and conducted protests. Chandrasekar announced that a two-month study has been initiated, involving fisher association representatives and technical experts, to assess the environmental and coastal impacts of the prohibited equipment, including effects on crabs, turtles, and turtle eggs. He indicated that a permanent solution would be presented to the President following the study, while requesting fishers to continue traditional hand-hauling methods in the interim.
This too is a good question. Recently, shore seine fishers met with the Hon. President; they also held major protests for over 10 days. About six months ago, we held talks with them and discussed that using these machines causes additional impacts to fishers as well as to nature and the environment. We told them, “We give six months; take alternative steps. Thereafter, we will have to ban it.” Accordingly, we imposed the ban. A court case has also been filed against it.
Nevertheless, from yesterday we have commenced a study—together with five members of the shore seine fishers’ associations and technical experts—on whether winch machines and/or detectors should be permitted, and on the advantages and disadvantages, including the impacts on the coast, crabs, turtles and turtle eggs. We will also discuss with our President and provide a durable, permanent solution within two months. Until then, the ban remains.
Shore seine is a traditional fishery. We request fishers to continue to haul the nets by hand and seek income in that way for now. Later, we will consider whether to incorporate technology.