Gujarat’s Fisheries Department has introduced an advanced drone-based surveillance system to monitor illegal fishing activities and improve maritime enforcement along its extensive coastline. The project involves the deployment of long-range drones equipped with thermal imaging, machine vision, and GPS tracking to detect unregistered trawlers, overfishing in restricted zones, and violations of marine biodiversity protocols. Data collected is transmitted to a central monitoring station in Porbandar, where analysts flag violations in real time. The initiative also includes training for coastal police and fisheries officers to respond promptly to alerts and conduct on-ground inspections. Within the first two months, over 65 unauthorized fishing incidents were intercepted, and fines were imposed accordingly. The program is part of a broader effort to conserve marine ecosystems while protecting the livelihoods of registered local fishermen who often suffer from resource depletion due to unlawful practices. Plans are underway to expand this program to other coastal states with high fishing activity, making it one of the most comprehensive marine surveillance efforts in India.