For many years now, Tamil Nadu has been implementing a 45-day fishing ban starting April 15th every year, to improve fish breeding which eventually leads to better catch post ban. The Union Agriculture Ministry has proposed a further extension to the ban period to 61 days to be implemented over the course of the next five years. The Tamil Nadu government has chosen to implement the extension starting this year.

The ban is essential as April-May is the breeding season for a variety of fish that breed deep under water, while October-November is the season for fish that swim and breed on the top layers of the sea.

The ban reduces the overall consumption of fish in the state, owing to low availability and hike in prices. The fish that are sold during this period are either brought in from the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Kerala or caught from lakes and ponds within the state.

During the ban, large boats are not allowed to enter the sea at all. The smaller fiber-reinforced boats and catamarans bring in smaller catches as they too are not allowed to enter deep sea.

Though the ban has been implemented keeping in mind, the overall sustainability of the fishing industry, fishermen in the state nevertheless, find this period quite stressful. This year especially, the Ennore oil spill has already put them in a lot of distress. That followed by an extended ban of 61 days, have left the fishermen in the state with a lot to complain about.