NELLORE: In an effort to curb illegal fishing activities and prevent unauthorised entry of fishing boats into Andhra Pradesh territorial waters, the Department of Fisheries has, in a first-of-its-kind initiative, proposed the deployment of an advanced surveillance drone system for effective coastal monitoring along the AP coastline in Nellore district, covering a stretch of 120.1 km.
The initiative is aimed at preventing illegal fishing activities, unauthorised trespassing, and cross-border violations by fishing boats entering from Karaikal in Puducherry and neighbouring regions of Tamil Nadu.
It may be noted that instances of unauthorised entry of fishing boats into the territorial waters of Nellore district have been reported frequently in recent years, raising concerns over marine resource exploitation, coastal security, law enforcement, and conflicts with local fishermen communities.
To address these issues, the Fisheries department has proposed the use of modern drone technology equipped with advanced surveillance and communication systems.
The proposed drones will have a surveillance coverage range of up to 25 km, enabling wide-area coastal monitoring. The system will feature real-time GPS tracking integrated with live video recording facilities, along with in-built microphones and high-decibel sirens to issue warnings and deter unauthorised fishing activity.
The drones will also have voice broadcasting capabilities to deliver warning announcements in the Tamil language for fishermen entering Andhra Pradesh waters without authorisation.
The drones would be equipped for both day and night surveillance, ensuring uninterrupted coastal monitoring operations.
Two drones are proposed to be stationed strategically at Krishnapatnam Port and Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour for effective surveillance of vulnerable coastal stretches.
“The drone system would significantly improve monitoring capacity by enabling early detection of unauthorised fishing activities and facilitating rapid response by enforcement authorities.
The project is also expected to strengthen coastal security, safeguard marine resources, and protect the interests of local fishermen communities in the district,” said TDP Rajya Sabha member Dr Beedha Masthan Rao Yadav.
As part of the enforcement mechanism, the drone system will broadcast a standard warning announcement to fishing boats entering Andhra Pradesh territorial waters without permission.
The announcement instructs fishermen from Karaikal, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu regions to immediately return to their designated fishing areas, warning that failure to comply would invite legal action under the APMFR Act.
“The proposed surveillance drone system would play a crucial role in strengthening coastal vigilance and protecting the livelihoods of local fishermen. The use of advanced drone technology will help authorities ensure effective monitoring of the coastline, prevent illegal fishing activities, and enhance marine and coastal security in Nellore district,” Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla said.