Enhancing Lives and Livelihoods of Fisher folk through Innovative Technology applications

Abstract

The coastal small craft fishing community are one of the most vulnerable groups in India, facing a number of challenges threatening their lives and livelihoods like unpredictable weather and ocean states, danger zones in the sea, lack of GPS information on fish shoal, quality fish processing, value addition and storage, market trends and government schemes for the benefit of fishing community. MSSRF with partners provide locale specific demand driven information to the fishing men and women of Tamilnadu, Puduchery and Andrapradesh, using innovative technologies such as Fisher Friend Mobile Application (FFMA), installation of Wave Rider Buoy (WRB), Tuna longliner, Phone in programmes, 24/7 helpline, text-voice based SMS and training on GPS, Turtle excluder device, Sea safety measures, Hygienic handling of fishes, fish value added products. FFMA is one stop shop mobile application developed for android and cdma platform in partnership with Qualcomm, Tata Tele and Consultancy Services. This application deliver messages to fishermen in the vernacular language on wave height, wind speed and direction and potential fishing zone, GPS for safe navigation, marking marine resources and risks zones, market information, emergency contact numbers and government schemes. WRB are installed in the sea in partnership with INCOIS to acquire and provide real time data on ocean state to the fishermen. Novel trainings listed above were offered to fishers to navigate the fish shoals saving fuel and time, repair their boats, contact Coast guard for safety and conserve Marine biodiversity. Nearly 20000 fishermen have downloaded FFMA and use them before navigation. 24/7 helpline in TN and AP rescued more than 100 fishers from dangers in the sea. The survey among fishers revealed that the services offered by MSSRF enabled them to earn an additional income of Rs. 25000 to 50000 per catch and 90% of fishers use the information in decision making. // Paper ID: 432