The Maharashtra government has extended the annual monsoon fishing ban on mechanised and motorised fishing boats until August 15, citing the delayed onset of the southwest monsoon and the need to protect marine biodiversity.
Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane informed the state Assembly that the Centre had initially enforced the ban from June 1 to July 31 along the west coast. However, the ban has now been extended by 15 days through a government order.
The extension aims to provide additional breeding time for marine species, conserve fish stocks and ensure the long-term sustainability of fisheries. The government also said the decision would help safeguard fishermen from rough sea conditions, including strong winds, cyclones, unseasonal rainfall and turbulent weather during the early monsoon period.
The move follows long-standing demands from fishermen's organisations, which argued that extending the ban would improve fish regeneration and align Maharashtra's policy with neighbouring Gujarat, where the fishing ban remains in force until August 15.