As many as 582 registered mechanised fishing boats in the Union Territory will soon be fitted with two-way communication transponders with technology developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
These transponders will come in handy in case of emergencies and will allow the boat owners, the Fisheries department control room and other agencies like the Coast Guard to know the whereabouts of the vessel.
According to G. Rajendiran, Deputy Director of Fisheries (Mechanisation), ISRO had developed transponders for two-way communication with indigenous research and development efforts using GSAT-6 satellite to cover the entire exclusive economic zone (EEZ) up to 200 nautical miles.
“The new facility will be made available to 3,047 registered fishing crafts (582 mechanised and 2,465 motorised fishing boats) at no expenses to the fishermen. The total cost of the project will be borne by the Centre. The equipment will be installed on mechanised fishing boats in the first…