Centre has given GPS devices to 5,000 TN fishermen: Minister

CHENNAI: The Centre has given GPS devices to 5,000 Tamil Nadu fishermen, Union minister for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying Parshottam Rupala said on Monday. It would help authorities track the fishermen when they go for fishing and warn them when they cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), he said. This would help prevent incidents like Indian fishermen being detained by Sri Lankan naval forces.
The minister was speaking here after launching the second phase of the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPADD).
Explaining the programme, Rupala said in the first phase (from 2013 to 2022), only the researchers had been involved in identifying the aquatic animal diseases and finding solutions to them. In the second phase, all stakeholders -- fishermen, hatchery operators and others -- involved in the trade would be roped in and their suggestions would be taken to control the aquatic animal diseases. The important aspect in the second phase is the participation of state fisheries departments and the Marine Product Export Development Authority.
The second phase of the NSPADD would address the aquatic animal diseases in the entire nation, for which newer laboratories would be set up in various parts of the country, he said.
The minister also launched a genetic improvement programme for the Indian white shrimp.
Union fisheries secretary Jatindra Nath Swain said the Centre had sanctioned Rs 126 crore for setting up two seaweed parks in the state -- one in Ramanathapuram district and the other in Pudukottai district.