With the annual fishing ban coming into effect across both coasts of the country, we must all do our part to help the government and fishermen maintain sustainability. Here is your refresher on what the annual fishing ban is, and how you too can be a responsible consumer.
What is the seasonal fishing ban?
Every year, the President of India on behalf of the department of fisheries (under the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying) issues a ban on all fishing activity on the East coast (West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and the West coast (Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep Islands) for 45- 62 days.
What is the reason for the seasonal fishing ban?
The seasonal fishing ban is necessary to sustain marine life and healthy numbers of various aquatic species. As monsoon is the most ideal time for spawning, the seasonal fishing ban is timed accordingly, to allow the fish to breed without any interruptions or hindrances.
The most important impact of the ban is to prevent overfishing and ensure there is a balance. An added benefit is protection for the fishermen from the choppy seas and unpredictable weather caused by the monsoon.
When does the seasonal fishing ban happen?
The seasonal fishing ban comes into effect, every year, in coincidence with the monsoon season on each respective coast.
On the East coast, the ban starts in mid-April and ends in mid-June.
On the West coast, the ban starts at the beginning of June and finishes at the end of July.
There is a 10 to 14-day overlap in the first two weeks of June, where there is no fishing activity allowed on both coasts of India.
What is Licious’s take on the fishing ban?
At Licious, we are committed to the responsible sourcing of fish and seafood. We abide by both government regulations and our own best practices to ensure our fish and seafood are sourced from partners who practice sustainability and are government verified.
Our policy is:
- To never catch immature or undersized fish.
- To ensure the rights and needs of our seafood workers and the fishing community at large are being upheld and respected.
- To monitor and guarantee that the fishing practices of our partners do not jeopardise aquatic ecosystems.
We are working closely with the authorities and will be abiding by the orders of the department of fisheries (under the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying) as and when they are issued.
Our commitment to responsible fishing means that any fish or seafood you buy from us is ethically and responsibly sourced.
Is fish available during the seasonal fishing ban?
The short answer is yes.
For the next 2 months, while most seawater fish & other seafood such as crabs, squid & prawns may not be easily available or available at all, we have a range of freshwater fish and cultured seafood that are fantastic substitutes.
Now is the perfect time to explore our freshwater/river fish options such as Rohu, Pearl Spot or White Perch. Don’t forget about the variety of juicy, freshwater prawns on Licious either!
There will also be certain species of seafood that continue to be available from time to time.
Here are a few examples of switches you can make to help with the marine sustainability efforts:
| Unavailable seafood | Alternatives |
| Basa | Tilapia |
| Black Pomfret | White Pomfret |
| Indian Salmon | Mahi Mahi |
| Mackerel | Sardines |
| Seer | King Fish |