Maharashtra Government Set to Implement Drone Surveillance to Combat Illegal Fishing
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Mumbai, Jan 3 (NationPress) The MahaYuti government in Maharashtra is gearing up to introduce a drone-based monitoring and digital data maintenance system for fishing vessels beginning January 9, as part of its efforts to combat illegal fishing and enforce the Marine Fishing Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2021.
The newly appointed Minister of Fisheries, Nitesh Rane, announced on Friday that nine drones will be leased for the state's maritime district, which includes two units each in Raigad and Ratnagiri, alongside one unit each in Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, and Mumbai Suburban.
A control room will be set up in the office of the Commissioner of Fisheries.
The minister highlighted that while department vessels are engaged in patrolling, it is impractical for them to inspect every fishing boat.
“Unauthorized boats often evade detection, making them challenging to apprehend. The drone surveillance system will be instrumental in curtailing illegal fishing,” he stated.
Shiv Sena legislator and former MP Nilesh Rane raised concerns during the winter session regarding illegal fishing and the issue of unauthorized boats in Ratnagiri and other coastal regions. He urged the government to take decisive measures.
According to the office of the fisheries department, the Fisheries Act is designed to safeguard the interests of the state's traditional fishing community and mitigate illegal fishing by migrant fishermen.
Previously, the Maharashtra Maritime Board contemplated initiating drone-based monitoring to oversee illegal fishing activities, following complaints from traditional fishing communities in Uttan, Vasai, and other coastal areas regarding large entities not adhering to the annual monsoon fishing ban along the coastline.
An annual deep-sea fishing ban is enforced to facilitate fish breeding and replenish aquatic populations. This 61-day marine fishing ban is enacted along the coastal region from June 1 to July 31.
