Mumbai Coasts on high alert! Fishermen to stay clear of restricted zones

As tensions with Pakistan escalate, maritime security has been significantly intensified along Maharashtra’s 877 km coastline. Mumbai, which falls under a 114 km coastal stretch, is now under heightened surveillance with joint coordination from defence and civil agencies.

A high-level meeting involving the Sagari Police, Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Maharashtra Fisheries Department was recently held to review security preparedness. Meanwhile, authorities are collecting detailed data on fishing boats, crew members, and updated mobile numbers of all fishermen operating at sea.

Fishermen have been directed:

• Not to approach the Gujarat maritime border or venture into international waters.

• To avoid restricted zones, including Offshore Defence Areas (ODAs), and not to seek shelter near oil rigs during storms.

• Boats found violating these zones may face punitive action.

• There is no formal ban on fishing, but access is limited to authorised zones only.

• Several undisclosed landing points along Mumbai’s coast are now under constant CCTV surveillance.

Fishermen have been urged to fully cooperate with Licensing Officers and security agencies.