CHENNAI: AUGUST 11, 2023

“Ocean information and Advisory services should reach all fishermen” – Dr (Smt) Tamilisai Soundararajan

“The Blue Economy is a priority for the Government and fishing communities need our support.”

Inaugurating the Mega Awareness Campaign on Ocean Information and Advisory Services, organised by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in collaboration with M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in Chennai today (August 11,2023), the Hon’ble Dr (Smt) Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana and Lt. Governor of Puducherry, emphasised that ocean information and advisory services should reach every small and marginal fisherman in the country.

Felicitating eight Fisher Friend Master Trainers from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry at the inauguration function, she praised their effort in building awareness about the Fisher Friend Mobile Application (FFMA) within the fisher community. FFMA is an Android-based application through which dynamic information on ocean state forecasts and weather forecasts are provided to fishermen to help them make informed decisions when venturing into the sea.

Speaking about her own experiences with fisher families in Chennai, Hon’ble Dr (Smt) Tamilisai Soundararajan said: “We need to listen to the needs and expectations of the fishermen and fisherwomen, and help them appreciate that technology can support them as well as address their problems.” She noted that information, communication and technology go hand-in-hand with partnerships and collaborations, especially when the goal is to make the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities better. Referring to the Fisher Friend Mobile Application managed by INCOIS, Qualcomm and MSSRF, she added, “A single window solution for the holistic shore-to-shore needs of the fishing community provides immediate access to critical, real-time knowledge and information services that protect the fishermen.”

The Governor later visited the stalls at the Mega Awareness Campaign and interacted with fisherwomen. She showed keen interest in the ghost (fishing) gear and dry fish initiatives that enhance livelihood security for coastal women.

The event was attended by around 300 fishermen and women from nine coastal districts in TamilNadu and Puducherry.

Shri D Senthil Pandian IAS., Joint Secretary – Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt of India, spoke of how the Government of India prioritises the blue economy, and that has always extended full support to fishing communities

Dr R Jeybaskaran, Director General – Fishery Survey of India, Mumbai, said: “We have the responsibility to conserve and protect mammals in the sea as well, and undertake to remove abandoned or lost ghost gear nets along the coasts.”

Dr T Srinivasa Kumar, Director – INCOIS, Hyderabad, noted that it is important to collaborate with NGOs and build partnerships so as to reach out to large numbers of vulnerable fishermen. “MSSRF plays a vital role in validating and disseminating information to the fishermen in coastal districts.”

Mr Anirban Mukerji, Senior Manager – Government Affairs – Qualcomm, New Delhi, said that Qualcomm and MSSRF have been partners for almost two decades in the service of the fishing community. “We provide advanced wireless technology and innovation to make the information easily accessible to all fishermen.” The Fisher Friend Mobile Application is being used by over one lakh small and marginal fishermen throughout the east-coast of India.

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson MSSRF, said that the Fish for All Research and Training Centre at Poompuhar, which began after the Tsunami of 2004, strengthens the capacities of fishermen and women from coastal communities while prioritising natural resource management, sustainable livelihood options, as well as disaster preparedness and management. “The mega awareness campaign on ocean information and advisory services is a timely initiative under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav programme by the Government of India to develop capacity of younger generation fishers,” she added.

Mr M Sakthivel, a small craft fisher from T R Pattinam village, Karaikal district, Puducherry UT, while recognises the usefulness on the information services via the Fisher Friend Mobile App, requested for quicker frequency of information with regard to water currents and mid-sea weather changes.

Dr GN Hariharan, Executive Director MSSRF, welcomed the dignitaries, and Dr S Velvizhi, Head – MSSRF Fish for All Centre delivered the vote of thanks.

Click here for About the event in English & Tamil and press release in Tamil

For further details, contact

Sangeetha Rajeesh
Director – Communications
3rd Cross Street, Institutional Area, Taramani,
Chennai 600 113, India
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Email: sangeetha@mssrf.res.in
Website: www.mssrf.org