The ban on fishing operations using mechanised and motorised boats in the Bay of Bengal for a distance of 230 km from the coast came into force in south Andhra from Friday to preserve fish and other marine resources during the breeding season.
The ban will remain in force till June 14 to help fishermen in the coastal districts of Prakasam, Nellore and Tirupati get a better catch coinciding with the onset of southwest monsoon, according to Fisheries Joint Director A. Chandrasekhara Reddy.
Fishermen who have anchored their boats on the shore are a happier lot as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a normal southwest monsoon. The June-September rainfall in the country could be 99% of the long-period average (LPA) with a margin error of 5%, the IMD said, bringing relief to fishermen who now expect a good catch this year at the end of the closed season.
