The coastal region of Tamil Nadu, covering districts such as Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram, is among the state’s most active fishing zones.

Tamil Nadu is one of the leading states in marine fish production in India, producing nearly six lakh tonnes of marine fish annually.

However, traditional fishermen operating small country boats say their catch has declined sharply in recent years.

They cite shrinking fishing space due to the shallow sea and the proximity of the Sri Lanka maritime boundary, making the region highly sensitive.

Fishermen also allege that mechanised boats using large drag nets operate close to the shore, affecting their traditional way of fishing.

Published on March 21, 2026