Kozhikode: Satellite-based apps a boon for fishers

Kozhikode: Scientists and experts enlightened fishers on possibilities of satellite and remote sensing applications at an awareness programme on 'Life and Livelihood Safety at Sea' at Puthiyappa fishing harbour here on Saturday.

Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), fisheries department and International Women Seafarers Federation (IWSF) organised the one-day programme funded by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad.

The Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) mapping technique developed by INCOIS incorporating the satellite data and images, sea surface temperature (SST), Ocean Colour Monitoring (OCM) and other ocean parameters is a milestone achievement and boon to fishers, said Dr Raffi, principal investigator of KUFOS- INCOIS research project.

He emphasised that these advancements will ultimately reduce the time and fuel cost to a greater extent as fishers can avoid the unwanted wandering in the sea in search of fish and fishing grounds. This will benefit anglers presently in severe economic doldrums due to minimal catch and soaring fuel price, said Raffi.

The real-time information dissemination through internet-based mobile applications about PFZ and Ocean State Forecast (OSF) such as tsunami and cyclone prediction, forecast and warning, wind, wave and current direction and speed etc. will be of immense use for saving the valuable life and property of fishers, seafarers and coastal populace, he said.

Captain Radhika Menon, the first Indian Women Captain of Indian Merchant Navy and the founder of International Women Seafarers Federation (IWSF), taught the do's and don'ts to be practised in the sea, avoiding collision of shipping cargo vessels with fishing boats and distress alerts.