Daijiworld Media Network – Kaup

Kaup, Aug 14: Fisheries minister Mankal S Vaidya has announced that GPS-based two-way communication devices, developed by ISRO, will be installed on all mechanised and motorised fishing boats to ensure immediate transmission of alerts to rescue teams in case of emergencies or life-threatening situations caused by adverse weather conditions.

Responding to a proposal from MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty regarding the provision of life jackets and weather-related alerts to fishermen, the minister noted that unpredictable weather patterns have led to accidents involving fishing boats at harbour entrances where silt accumulation and lack of breakwater extensions have posed risks to both boats and lives. He added that weather forecasts and advance warnings are already being provided to fishermen.

The minister said that dredging to remove silt at harbour areas and extending breakwaters at river mouths would be carried out with funding from both the central and state governments. He further stated that work on the breakwater extensions would proceed based on recommendations from the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, and the Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fisheries, Bengaluru.