New Delhi, March 3 (IANS). The Global Positioning System (GPS) devices provided to fishermen in Car Nicobar have made it possible for them to catch fish in a precise and targeted manner, providing continuous supply of fish and better nutrition to the local people. The government gave this information on Tuesday.
An official statement said a Coastal Fisheries Information Hub has been set up on Car Nicobar Island and a total of five GPS devices were given to tribal fishermen, while five more GPS devices were kept for general use.
The Ministry of Science and Technology said the initiative has significantly increased the number of fish caught daily, with the average number of fishermen seen increasing by about 168 per cent, while they now spend less time fishing.
This increase in the number of fish caught daily is due to proper navigation and marking of fertile areas. The ministry cited some examples of beneficiaries, including Junaid from Teetop village and Abdul Sattar from Chuchucha village, who started selling their catches in the markets after the arrival of these devices in the island, thereby increasing their income.
“The lifeblood and livelihood of Nicobarese communities is traditional fishing techniques, which have improved with experience, but are limited by the changing nature of the sea and weather and the lack of accurate navigation tools. Often, boats get lost due to inclement weather, leading to loss of productivity and sometimes life-threatening injuries,” the statement said.
To address this challenge, the Central Island Technological Research Institute, under the SEED Division program of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has procured GPS devices and adapted them to local marine environments and fishing patterns.
He said that the fishermen were given training in GPS navigation and modern fishing techniques so that they could use the GPS devices effectively. Surveys were conducted to identify the needs and challenges of fishermen and to help them adopt technology, and technology adoption was promoted through Tribal Councils.
–IANS
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