Making a suo motu statement in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced special livelihood schemes worth ₹216.73 crore, aiming to improve the livelihood and welfare of fishermen in the state. The government aims to develop deep-sea fishing harbours in Thangachimadam, Pamban, and Kundukal at a cost of ₹360 crore, which will benefit the districts surrounding the Gulf of Mannar.

These harbours will be designed to support the fishing community and provide a safe and efficient way for fishermen to land their catch.

According to the Chief Minister, the frequent arrests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy has become a matter of deep concern. The government will always stand by its fishermen and protect their livelihoods, regardless of the Union government’s stance.

The Tamil Nadu government has also announced special schemes worth ₹216.73 crore to improve the livelihood and welfare of fishermen. These schemes include:

1. A special scheme at a cost of ₹52.33 crore to provide technical training and necessary equipment to about 7,000 beneficiaries involved in seaweed cultivation, processing, value addition, and marketing.
2. A scheme worth ₹25.82 crore to provide equipment and support services to enable members of the fishing community to engage in cage culture of fish and mud crab, including processing and sales.
3. A scheme worth ₹9.90 crore to promote fish processing and drying technologies among 2,500 fishing families.
4. A scheme worth ₹20.55 crore to provide technical training for the preparation of fish and fish-based value-added products to around 15,300 fishermen.
5. Schemes worth ₹54.48 crore to benefit around 20,100 fishermen by supporting alternate livelihoods such as net making and repairing, boat building and repairing, dry fish processing, ornamental fish tank making, boat driving, and shell craft production.
6. Schemes worth ₹53.62 crore to support alternative livelihoods such as mushroom farming, operating tourism boats, producing handicrafts and home-made masala powders, beautician training, and millet-based food production for approximately 14,700 beneficiaries.

The government aims to provide a comprehensive support system for fishermen in Tamil Nadu, including the development of deep-sea fishing harbours and the implementation of special livelihood schemes.

“We will not fail to protect the livelihoods of our fishermen,” said the Chief Minister. “The State government will always stand by them, regardless of the Union government’s stance.”

The announcements were welcomed by several opposition parties, including the Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi, VCK, Congress, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, CPI(M), and CPI. The opposition members expressed their support for the government’s initiatives and reiterated their commitment to protecting the livelihoods of fishermen in Tamil Nadu. The Chief Minister also highlighted the need to reclaim Katchatheevu and secure the release of all fishermen languishing in Sri Lankan jails.

“We must find a permanent solution to the problem of our fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy,” he said. “We must reclaim Katchatheevu and secure the release of our fishermen from Sri Lankan jails.”

The government’s initiatives aim to address the concerns of fishermen in Tamil Nadu and provide them with a comprehensive support system. The announcements have been welcomed by the opposition parties, and the government is expected to implement the schemes and develop the deep-sea fishing harbours in the coming months.