More than 350 shrimp hatcheries escape axe as CRZ rule amended

KAKINADA: More than 350 shrimp hatcheries along the coastal AP region have escaped the axe as the Union Government has amended the Coastal Aqua Authority Act and exempted the hatcheries from the distance-rule. Recently, the National Green Tribunal gave a judgment that all establishments that are within 200 metres of the CRZ limit should be demolished to protect the environment as per the CAA rules. The all India shrimp hatcheries association’s Kakinada chapter general secretary Sunkaranam Harinarayana said the Union Government has relaxed the 250-metres zone restriction and allowed the aquaculture and seed production of prawns, crab etc within the CRZ limits. President of the association Sathi Veerreddy said that the hatcheries industry breathed easy with the present change in rule.