Context: The Andhra Pradesh government deposited ₹261.59 crore into the bank accounts of around 1.3 lakh fishermen families under the Matsyakarula Sevalo Scheme.
- Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu disbursed the financial assistance during a programme held in SPSR Nellore district.
- Fishermen’s families will recieve ₹20,000 each during the annual fishing ban period from April 15 to June 15.
- The fishing ban is imposed to support fish breeding and marine conservation.
- The State government is also providing a diesel subsidy of ₹9 per litre for mechanised fishing boats.
- In 2026-27, Andhra Pradesh allocated ₹50 crore towards diesel subsidy for fishing boats.
- The government promised to sanction 200 mechanised boats for fishermen. It will provide 60% subsidy and the remaining amount will be sanctioned as a loan.
- The government is setting up nine fishing harbours and eight fish landing centres at a cost of ₹3,256 crore.
- The government has installed 4,550 transponders at sea to set up a communication system and protect fishermen.
- The Chief Minister also emphasised strict action against illegal intrusion by fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry into Andhra Pradesh territorial waters.
- The Chief Minister announced to encourage fisherwomen and the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) groups to earn additional income through seaweed cultivation. He launched a programme to train women in seaweed cultivate in coastal areas.
- The CSMCRI (Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute), Bhavnagar, under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will train the women to cultivate seaweed to help them earn their livelihood. The State government will provide the necessary infrastructure for seaweed cultivation.