Seamen’s safety comes into question

Though awareness on the use of GPS, VHF radio, and mobile phones has picked up after tsunami of 2005, much more has to be done, says BOBP Director Yadava

Admitting that safety observed by the seamen is not up to the mark, dwindling catch, frequent accidents and sustained campaigns are opening the eyes of the fishing industry to follow protocols, Director of Bay of Bengal Programme Y.S. Yadava said.

In an interview to The Hindu , he said the inter-governmental organisation was formed in April 2003 with India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives as members and the cooperation of other nations in the region after it did remarkable work as a field project of FAO of UN since 1979 with headquarters in Chennai.

Risky profession

“Though awareness among fishermen on use of GPS, VHF radio and mobile phones picked up after tsunami of 2005, much more has to be done,” he said.

Stating that fishing was the third riskiest profession after aviation and mining, he said fishing should be undertaken only at the designated areas and the boats should inform the regulating agencies on their rendezvous and regularly following the weather warnings.

Dr. Yadava said they were taking up several programmes for safe and sustainable fishing and involving several agencies to improve livelihood and quality of life of fishermen.

He said BOBP as an inter-governmental organisation was committed to promoting, facilitating and securing the long-term development and utilisation of coastal fisheries resources of the Bay of Bengal based on responsible fishing practices and environmentally sound management programmes.

Annual conservation

The observance of annual conservation period on the East Coast and West Coast was a sign of growing awareness among fishermen to prevent catching juveniles and promote harvesting.

The BOBP is also undertaking capacity building programmes and promoting hygiene and sensitising everyone on adhering to various protocols on safety as well as search and rescue operations on receipt of distress calls.

To a question on concerns expressed by trawling industry over Letters of Permit issued to big foreign vessels, he said now it would be a closed chapter with the government deciding to phase it out.