Initiative to install emergency alert system in fishing trawlers

To protect the lives of fishermen at the time distress while sailing in the sea, the state Fisheries department has taken a unique initiative to install emergency alert system in all the fishing trawlers.

It may be mentioned that in some trawlers, the distress alarm technology has been used but the government has a plan to set up the device in all the fishing trawlers in the state. Through the emergency alert system, the fishermen can draw the attention of the Coast Guard if there is any danger in the sea or in case of a natural calamity.

The fishermen have to press a distress alarm and the message will be automatically delivered to the Coast Guard officials and they would be able to take prompt action to help the fishermen in distress.

A senior official of the state Fisheries department said that the department will install the emergency alarms in all the fishing boats. The work has already started. The department is also conducting awareness drive among the fishing folk to check the misuse of distress alarm. If the distress alarms are misused, it would be difficult for the rescue team to track down the fishing boat which is actually in distress.

The department is working on how to check the misuse of the distress alarm. An awareness campaign would be conducted among the fishing community so that they do not trigger emergency alarm without a purpose. The department is also contemplating on imposing a fine on the owners of the trawlers if they are found misusing the distress alarm, despite of the campaign. The department will take the final decision in this regard.

According to sources, a fine may be imposed on the owners of the fishing trawlers in case of misuse. The state government may also cancel the license of the fishing trawlers if there are repeated incidents of misuse of the distress alarm by a particular trawler in addition to the fines. In few occasions, it has been noticed that fishermen press the distress alarm without a valid reason.

The present government also announced financial benefits to the family members in case a fisherman dies due to an attack by pirates in the sea. The deceased's family members would be given Rs 2 lakh.

The Fisheries department is also giving financial assistance to the fishing community during the off season. The new schemes have improved the socio-economic condition of the fishing community in the state. A pension scheme has also been introduced by the state government to improve the quality of life of people involved in fishing.