Geographical Information System technology should be used in the fisheries sector to minimize fishing expenses, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Sudarshan Bhagat said today.
"The GIS technology will help identifying potential fishing zones (PFZ) to make fishing more easier and less expensive," the minister said at a function organised by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute here.
According to the minister, it is a reality that climate change has a drastic impact on fisheries sector.
He urged the scientific community to study the issues being faced by the sector due to the climate change and to provide alternative means to mitigate the phenomenon.
CMFRI's technology of 'cage fish farming' would help the country increase marine fish production, he said.
"Seed production technology of more fish species which are commercially important should be developed by the scientists to popularise the cage farming," he said.
The minister said that the Centre would focus more on fisheries sector by introducing effective projects and schemes.
"The fishermen community will experience its benefits soon," he said.
The CMFRI felicitated a couple, who have been regularly going for fishing together in the sea by using gillnets and hooks for around 13 years after their marriage, on the occasion.
K V Karthikeyan and his wife K C Rekha were presented CMFRI's memento by Bhagat at a 'fishermen meet'.
The couple hails from Kundazhiyoor near Chettuva in Thrissur district.
According to CMFRI, Rekha is the first woman in India who goes for fishing in the sea by boat.
Although there are women engaged in fishing in the backwaters, there is no record about women's presence in fishing along the Indian coasts available so far, CMFRI director, A Gopalakrishnan, said.
The couple were felicitated on the occasion of their wedding anniversary.
Bhagat draped a 'ponnada' (shawl) on the couple and presented a memento.
The minister also handed over to the couple fish seeds of sea bass for starting cage fish farming in sea water under CMFRI support to earn additional income.
The couple explained their struggle and hardships they had to face during the initial years of fishing.
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