Brief
Supreme Court questions Tamil Nadu’s ban on purse‑seine nets after EEZ approval
The apex court asked the state to explain a September 9 ban that appears to contravene its September 2 direction allowing regulated purse‑seine fishing in the EEZ.
By Felo News Desk · Published
New Delhi – On Tuesday the Supreme Court of India warned the Tamil Nadu government that its recent ban on purse‑seine fishing may overstep a September 2 order that permitted the method in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The bench, comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, asked the state to file a reply within two weeks.
The court heard a petition from the NGO Fisherman Care, which argued that Tamil Nadu notified a complete ban on September 9, violating the earlier directive. Advocate Jaya Sukin, representing fishermen, said the ban was a "complete violation of the apex court's order." The bench noted that only six of 257 required fishing passes had been issued, with 226 still pending, and flagged the issue as a breach of the right to occupation.
Earlier, on August 4, the Supreme Court had clarified that purse‑seine fishing could be allowed beyond the state’s territorial waters provided it remained within the EEZ and met conditions such as VTS tracking, biometric IDs and valid registrations. The court also directed Tamil Nadu to notify a transit channel for vessels.
Key facts
- The Supreme Court asked Tamil Nadu to explain a September 9 ban on purse‑seine fishing that appears to conflict with a September 2 order allowing it in the EEZ. (newindianexpress.com)
- Only six of 257 fishing passes for purse‑seine nets had been issued, with 226 pending, according to the court. (newindianexpress.com)
- The court had earlier (August 4) permitted purse‑seine fishing in the EEZ under specific conditions such as VTS tracking and biometric IDs. (newindianexpress.com)
Sources
- [1] newindianexpress.com — originally reported as “SC questions Tamil Nadu's ban on purse seine nets after allowing fishing in EEZ”
