Fishers from six Andhra districts seek Forest Rights Act-style law to protect fishing grounds

Participants at the consultation of traditional fishers from six coastal districts at the Fishery Survey of India hall in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Traditional fishers from six coastal Andhra districts have asked for a law on the lines of the Forest Rights Act to protect their fishing grounds and access routes from displacement by coastal projects. The demand came at a consultation in Visakhapatnam on Thursday (October 8, 2026) attended by 72 delegates from Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

The meeting, held at the Fishery Survey of India hall, was organised by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), the District Fishermen Youth Welfare Association (DFYWA) and FISHCON. DFYWA executive secretary Arjilli Dasu chaired the sessions. BOBP-IGO representative Ahana Lakshmi and FISHCON president Surada Rajarao took part.