Isro to help fishermen find fishing spots in deep seas
The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has joined hands with the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to identify areas in deep seas where fishes are found in abundance to help fishermen locate their catch without wasting time and fuel.
The CMFRI and the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of Isro have launched a research project Samudra for identifying, forecasting and monitoring potential fishing zones (PFZ) in waters of Tamil Nadu in the first phase.
The project will focus on developing and running a satellitebased ocean forecasting model to provide PFZ advisories.
CMFRI director Dr A Gopalakrishnan said the project is a milestone in India’s fisheries sector and comes at a time when it is passing through a difficult phase.
“PFZ advisory will definitely help fishermen reduce their fishing efforts and increase their catch without wasting much time and fuel,” he said.
It is planning to develop a satellite-based numerical ocean model to forecast information about the fishing locations by
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
closely monitoring and analysing various physical changes in the oceans owing to seasonal and climatic variations, high winds, rain and cyclonic conditions.
As part of the research work, physically collected data on catch, water quality and biophysical parameters such as pigments, temperature, salinity, nutrients, productivity will be validated with satellite-derived data. “The seas surrounding the subcontinent contribute to an average of 2.5 million tonnes of seafood. The potential yield is estimated to be around 3.9 million tonnes from Indian exclusive economic zone. In this scenario identification, mapping and forecasting of PFZ are essential,” he said.
Dr Shoba Joe Kizhakudan, principal scientist at CMFRI’s Chennai Research Centre, has been appointed as principal investigator of Samudra project.
Kizhakudan said as part of identifying these PFZ, the behaviour of fish habitats controlled by various environmental parameters, including currents, the presence of planktons, would be monitored. The estimated value of marine fish landings during 2016 at the landing centre level in the country was ₹48,381 crore.