India, July 25 -- With marine fish stocks in rapid decline along Maharashtra's coast, traditional fishing communities are demanding urgent regulatory measures to prevent ecological collapse and economic hardship.

On Wednesday, a delegation of fishermen from Maharashtra and Gujarat, representing the Indian West Coast Fishermen Federation, met with State Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane at Mantralaya. The key demand: extend the ongoing monsoon fishing ban in Maharashtra till August 15 - in line with Gujarat's existing practice.

Federation executive member Vinod Patil said Gujarat's extended ban, from June 1 to August 15, has already shown positive results in fish regeneration and promoting sustainable fishing. "Maharashtra's tradi...