Drones to emerge as game changer in fisheries sector, says Union Minister

Drones revolutionize fisheries sector, aiding in aquaculture management, disaster response, and sustainable practices, enhancing efficiency and precision.

Drones will emerge as a gamechanger in the fisheries sector, addressing several critical challenges with precision and efficiency, Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian said here on Friday.

He was inaugurating an awareness workshop and demonstration of drone applications in the fisheries sector at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.

“Drones play a pivotal role in managing aquaculture farms, monitoring fish markets, and assessing damage to fisheries infrastructure, particularly during natural disasters, when rescue operations are essential. On their part, underwater drones help closely monitor fish behaviour in natural habitats, to detect signs of distress like erratic swimming patterns and also provide real-time data that strengthen sustainable fisheries management,” he said.

The event saw live demonstration of drone applications in fisheries, including transportation of fish from the farm, dispensing aquafeeds and rescue operation.

The Minister said the Centre would develop 100 climate-resilient coastal fishermen villages across the country, to help fisher communities who encounter climate-change challenges, by allocating ₹2 crore per village under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. This would help ready common facilities like fish-drying yards, processing centres, fish markets, and emergency rescue facilities, whilst promoting climate-resilient practices like seaweed cultivation, artificial reefs, and green fuel initiatives.

The Union Department of Fisheries would install transponders in about one lakh marine fishing vessels this year at an estimate of ₹364 crore.

This would provide a two-way communication system enabling real-time tracking of fishing vessels and help fishermen to send short messages using their Android mobile phone while fishing up to 200 nautical miles from the coast.