A Fishermen Watch Group meeting was held at the Panchayat Hall in Kishorinagar to enhance coastal vigilance and strengthen community policing along the North and Middle Andaman coastline. The meeting emphasized the role of fishermen as frontline observers of coastal security and provided guidance on real-time reporting of suspicious activities.
The session, chaired by the Superintendent of Police, North & Middle Andaman, brought together over 50 fishermen, local Pradhans, and members of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Officials from the Fisheries Department and law enforcement were also in attendance. The discussions focused on sensitizing the fishing community to security concerns and standard procedures for intelligence sharing with authorities.
Fishermen were urged to report any unusual movements, unidentified vessels, or suspicious activity immediately to the nearest police station. The police reassured the community of full support and protection while carrying out their crucial surveillance role along the coastline.
The meeting highlighted the fishermen’s contribution during recent anti-poaching operations, which resulted in the interception of foreign poachers, seizure of a dinghy, and recovery of a substantial quantity of sea cucumber. Authorities emphasized that continued collaboration between the fishing community and law enforcement is critical to maintaining maritime security and preventing illegal activities in the region.
Officials encouraged consistent reporting and timely communication to ensure effective action can be taken against potential threats. The general public was also invited to provide credible information regarding illegal activities, with assurances that the identity of informers would be kept confidential and suitable rewards provided.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to enhance maritime vigilance and strengthen community-led monitoring along sensitive coastal areas. By involving fishermen as key stakeholders, authorities aim to improve both the detection of illegal activities and the overall security of North and Middle Andaman’s coastal regions.
Through this meeting, the administration reinforced the importance of integrating local knowledge and frontline observation into ongoing anti-poaching and coastal security operations. Authorities underlined that active participation from the fishing community remains essential for the success of these measures.
The North & Middle Andaman District Police reiterated their commitment to safeguarding marine biodiversity, preventing illegal trespassing, and ensuring territorial security, while encouraging fishermen and local residents to maintain active collaboration with enforcement agencies.
