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Drones in Fisheries
Context:
Union Minister of State for Fisheries recently highlighted the transformative potential of drone technology during an awareness workshop at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi.
- Drones are rapidly emerging as a game-changer in the fisheries sector, providing innovative solutions to address critical challenges with precision and efficiency.
Applications in Fisheries:
- Aquaculture Management: Drones will play a critical role in managing aquaculture farms, offering precision and efficiency.
- Monitoring Fish Markets & Infrastructure: They will assist in monitoring fish markets and assessing damage to fisheries infrastructure, especially during natural disasters, aiding rescue operations.
- Underwater Drones: Specialised underwater drones can monitor fish behaviour in natural habitats, detecting signs of distress (e.g., erratic swimming patterns) and providing real-time data to support sustainable fisheries management.
Government Initiatives:
- Climate-Resilient Coastal Villages: The Minister announced plans to develop 100 climate-resilient coastal fishermen villages across India to support fishing communities facing climate change challenges.
- Funding: ₹2 crore per village allocated under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
- Key Infrastructure: The villages will have fish-drying yards, processing centres, fish markets, and emergency rescue facilities.
- Sustainable Practices: The initiative will promote seaweed cultivation, artificial reefs, and green fuel initiatives.
- Marine Fishing Vessel Transponders:
- The Union Department of Fisheries will install transponders in one lakh marine fishing vessels this year, with an estimated cost of ₹364 crore.
- Two-way Communication: The system will enable real-time tracking of vessels, and allow fishermen to send short messages (e.g., distress signals) using their Android mobile phones, even 200 nautical miles offshore.
- Weather Alerts: The system will provide weather updates and cyclone warnings.
- Fisheries Information: The system will also offer information on potential fishing zones in regional languages.
Technological Advancements:
- The Department of Fisheries, in collaboration with the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), is organising workshops to showcase the use of drone technology in fisheries and aquaculture.
- These workshops feature live demonstrations of drone applications, such as fish transportation, feed dispensing, and deploying life jackets for emergency rescue operations.
