15 no-fishing beaches to be developed in Vizag; fishermen concerned

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Andhra Pradesh government has announced that AP tourism would develop 15 beaches in Vizag City. The government also declared that there would be no fishing by fishermen on these beaches.

The 15 beaches include Bhimunipatnam Constituency, Pandavula Pancha Beach, Annavaram Beach, Pedangamayyapalem Beach, Bhimili GVMC Cheena, Chalam Beach, Saiyappada Beach, Ramadrirak Beach, Thimmapuram Beach, in East Constituency, Madhurawada Beach, IT Beach, Endada Beach, Sitakonda Beach, Lawsens Bay Beach, in Gajuwaka Constituency, Yarada and two other beaches.

Thousands of fishermen, whose livelihood is hunting and selling marine fish in the sea, are worried that the government’s decision will affect their employment. The CPM Visakha district committee, in a press release, warned the government of facing resistance if the employment of fishermen is threatened in the name of beach development in Vizag city.

CPIM leader Jaggu Naidu said, “Thousands of fishermen depend on the sea for their livelihood. Among the 15 beaches notified beaches, there are beaches where fishermen keep their boats. There is a concern that there will be a loss of fishing and employment of fishermen. The government does not seem to be considering this problem,” When Gangavaram Port and VCTC were established, fishermen lost their jobs, he noted.