Speaking on the occasion, Staff Officer (Operation) and Naval officer in-charge Karnataka, Commander Tushar Sockey spoke regarding the security and precautionary measures to be adopted by the fishermen before venturing into the business.
He said first and foremost all fishing boats should carry original documents besides smart cards that is issued on priority. Trawler fishing boats should be installed with AIS. Carrying out group and buddy fishing would be more helpful in case of disasters, he added.
He said implementing fishing control mechanism should be taken up on priority basis. Identity cards should be made available to all fishermen. One basic security measure to be compulsory involved in fishing activities is thorough checking to be carried out at fishing harbours and other fish landing points.
There is need to reduce the number of landing points to ensure quality checking, he added.
He said fishing community should be part of intelligence gathering network.
Feasibility may be explored to create a voluntary force involving fishermen inline with state of Gujarat to be part of security agencies.
Reacting to the query regarding the harassment by navy personnel against fishermen without inquiry on board in sea, Sockey said the complaint against those officers involved should be registered with Navy through fishermen union immediately. The punishment may cost officials’ jobs, he added.
He said when a fishing boat is attacked by merchant boat, the complaint should be lodged with DCGP, an investigating agency in Mumbai, he said. A demonstration on ‘Distress Alert Transmitter’ (DAT) was carried out on the occasion.
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