Kolkata: The West Bengal Fisheries Department has started to install advanced transponder devices from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on fishing boats operating in South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur districts.
These devices will enable real-time two-way communication and trace vessels quickly during emergencies at sea.
The device works in sync with the mobile application Nabamitra, which transmits cyclone warnings, fishing zone information and live weather updates.
In the first phase, 300 large vessels with valid updated licenses and no history of rule violations in the Kakdwip and Diamond Harbour subdivisions of South 24 Parganas are being equipped with these devices.
Installations have been completed at Fraserganj, Raidighi and Kakdwip harbours, with the final phase underway at Diamond Harbour.
Another 200 big boats are being covered simultaneously in Purba Medinipur. The installations began last week and will conclude today.
The installation work has started on the bigger boats. But nearly 9000 licensed boats will be equipped with the devices in phases.
This device is linked to mobile phones and connected via satellite. It ensures distress alerts, location tracking and rapid emergency response, especially in turbulent sea conditions.
Each unit is priced around Rs 45,000 and is being fitted to a vessel under a joint initiative by the Central and State Fisheries Ministries.
The device reduces the risk of accidents and also prevents inadvertent boundary crossings during a fishing expedition in deep waters.
The device allows fishermen to send and receive messages to and from the Coast Guard or shore-based control centres.
The satellite-based platform ensures connectivity even in remote maritime zones where regular mobile networks fail.
The communication is available in several languages, including Bengali, making the data easily understandable.
It also assists fishermen in identifying fish-rich areas, improving both efficiency and yield. It could help detect areas rich with hilsa, making fishing both safer and more productive.
