NEW DELHI: We have heard about many incidents of Indian fishermen unintentionally crossing over to the maritime boundaries of other countries, mainly Pakistan and Sri Lanka, to look for their catch in the high seas, only to get caught by security agencies. It invariably takes a lot of diplomatic effort to get them released.
Besides, there have been instances when fishermen faced the threat of natural calamities, such as during Cyclonic Storm Ockhi along the Tamil Nadu coast, resulting in the disappearance of around 100 fishermen in 2017. Practically, every ‘depression’ or ‘deep depression’ either in the Bay of Bengal or in the Arabian Sea puts thousands of fishermen in danger.
The govt has now found an answer to deal with such issues by installing 100,000 indigenously developed transponders, using ISRO’s Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS), on marine fishing vessels, including both mechanised and motorised, across 13 coastal states/UTs with an allocation of Rs 364 crores by December next year.
The installation process already started in a few coastal states after it was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Palghar, Maharashtra, in August. In Odisha, which installed the transponders in more than 1,000 fishing vessels, it saved the lives of many fishermen who were out in the high seas during Cyclone Dana last month.
Currently, EU nations, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Africa, and Chile are using transponders on fishing vessels to enhance safety, improve monitoring, and combat illegal fishing.
How is it significant for India?
The transponders, wireless tracking devices that use radio frequencies to operate, will be used for monitoring, control, and surveillance of marine fishing vessels. These are not only essential for the safety and security of fishermen at sea but also for helping the vessels avoid sea creatures, such as Olive Ridley sea turtles (an endangered species) and other marine species, that suffer injuries coming in contact with boats and fishing trawlers.
It’s a two-way communication system enabling the fishermen to send short messages using their android mobile phones while fishing up to 200 nautical miles from the coast during any emergency to seek rescue operations. It will provide weather alerts to the fishermen, including cyclone warnings during any natural disaster. In case the fishermen cross maritime boundaries, alerts will be given to them to avoid unintentional transgression. Information related to the Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) will also be made available to the fishermen on their mobiles with the VCSS.
How will it help the country from a security point of view?
The routes of fishing vessels can be tracked. In case of any suspicious activities, the security agencies will be able to inspect the vessels and also can comply with Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Indian seas.
How will it help fishermen who inadvertently cross over to maritime boundaries and get caught?
The VCSS will help the fishermen through ISRO’s navigation satellite system, called NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), that can provide accurate real-time positioning information, helping fishermen stay informed about their location relative to national boundaries. Alerts can be set up to notify them if they are approaching or crossing into restricted areas.
Integrated navigation systems can include updated maps of territorial waters and fishing zones, enabling fishermen to understand the limits of legal fishing areas clearly. For example, if a vessel is approaching a boundary, communication systems can send alerts to the crew, giving them a chance to change course before entering foreign waters. Communication systems can facilitate direct communication between fishermen and local authorities. If a fisherman accidentally crosses a boundary, they can quickly report their position and intention, which may help in negotiating their safe return.
How will transponders work?
The system has been designed to provide access to all features in the regional languages to the fishermen on the National Fisheries Application. It’ll also be featured with efficient harbour management tools like a token system for entry and exit of fishing vessels for voyage, details of fishing crew on board fishing vessels going for voyage, establishing traceability of fish catch which is essential for compliance with international guidelines of IUU fishing, etc.
Has the installation process started beyond Odisha?
Besides Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Diu, Goa, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh have also started it. More than 3,500 transponders have already been installed. The transponders will be provided to the fishermen free of cost with a 60:40 funding pattern between the Centre and States, and 100% central share for UTs.
Will one lakh transponders cover the country’s entire fleet of marine fishing vessels?
There are 66,106 mechanised fishing boats and 135,763 motorised fishing boats currently operating throughout the coastal States/UTs. All the mechanised fishing vessels and a part of motorised fishing vessels will be covered under the present phase by December 2025.
Who will operate and maintain it?
The transponder will be mounted on the fishing boat. Fishermen/boat operators will operate the applications of the transponders using their android mobile phones. The maintenance will be done by New Space India Limited (NSIL), a central PSU and the commercial arm of ISRO, for two years. Thereafter, the respective coastal States/UTs will maintain the transponders.