Real-time information on weather has come as a boon to the beleaguered fishermen of the coastal state of Kerala, making a marked improvement in their livelihood
 IT IS EARLY IN THE MORNING, Kunjumon and his team of four others are busy getting their fishing net and other paraphernalia ready. One of the team members is a bit hesitant to go, for he hasn’t sighted the ubiquitous sea birds that frequent the zone – a belief that if the birds are around, the sea would be calm. The dark sky and receding clouds are giving him the jitters. But then the others convince him to join and assure him that all will go well. The fishermen of Kerala, for as long as one can remember, have relied on traditional wisdom like the congregation of birds, colour and smell of sea water, bubbles breaking on the sea surface, muddy and oily water with a calm sea and reflection in the night before venturing out to sea. Today, however, they need not depend on hearsay or plain blind beliefs, but on scientific proof and authentic information on the weather conditions. What’s more, they not only get to set out to sea confidently but also know exactly where to fish, thanks to the alerts given to them by Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre.
Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre in collaboration with Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), are working towards the transfer of the technology to the coastal fishing community for benefiting their livelihoods. KSREC has setup mechanism for the effective transfer and usage of the Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories received from INCOIS. Remote Sensing Satellite data application stands unique, which provides real-time information and provides service at grass root level helping common fish folks. The forecasting of Fishing Zone in marine water is achieved by correlating information on sea surface temperature, SST, pigment concentration and the oceanic features. The service will help increase the fish catch and reduce the searching time in fishing operations.
How it is done
In this scientific process of PFZ forecasting, parameters such as sea surface temperature, chlorophyll, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, salinity, winds and currents are used to study the feeding and breeding habits of fish, and thus to evolve scientific indicators of potential fishing zones. Features such as oceanic fronts, meandering patterns, eddies, rings, upwelling areas etc. that are proven to be prospective sites for fish accumulation are identified from Sea Surface Temperature generated using NOAA-AVHRR Satellite data. The availability of Chlorophyll from OCEANSAT has enriched these advisories in recent years. Information is given to user community thrice a week. In South Kerala, KSREC coordinates the dissemination and validation of Potential Fishing Zone Programme in association with INCOIS.
Project implementation
The implementation of project involves four main steps: Forming of fishermen clubs; conducting awareness campaigns; ensuring that advisories are disseminated; and evaluating advisories through a validation exercise.
Fishermen clubs
The success of PFZ technology depends on the transfer of the technology among fishermen community and effective dissemination of the forecast to the community. Fishermen clubs were formed in various fish landing centres. President and Secretary were selected among fishermen and a local social worker was also selected as patron. The club meetings were held regularly to discuss various issues in fishing sector and knowledge was shared. Data dissemination and feedback collection were also done through these clubs.
Awareness campaign
Awareness campaigns were held regularly to educate the community regarding the technology and to clarify doubts. This process helped create confidence in the community as well as the centre in the effective transfer of the technology. It also helped create enthusiasm among local people regarding the technological capabilities particularly of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS).
Dissemination of the information
Real-time transfer of PFZ forecast to the fishermen is the key component in the technology transfer process. As the information is dynamic in nature and the validity is only up to 48 hours, effective arrangements are made to deliver the information to the communities.
Validation exercise
The validation of PFZ advisories is also regularly carried out to evaluate the service provided. The landing data of vessels operated within and outside PFZ were collected and analysed for the effectiveness of the technology. It was observed from the results the vessels which used the PFZ advisories increased their catch by 30 per cent.Searching time also reduced by 15-20 per cent, reducing the fuel usage as well.
Why fishermen matter
The maritime State of Kerala produces about 6 lakh tonnes of fishery resources which constitute one-third of the fish landings of the country. The State has seven major fishing harbours and hundreds of small landing centres spread over 222 fishing villages of nine coastal districts. The sector rovides employment to about 2 lakh people directly and another 2 lakh in allied sectors. |
The fishermen in Trivandrum coast are now utilising the service and demanding for species-wise forecast as well. Information on sea conditions, surface temperature, winds, waves etc. were also provided to help the fishermen for the safe fishing operations. Warnings on Tsunami-like disasters are also provided to the community. The programme has become a success story as it brings together technology, scientists, institutions and user community.
Electronic display boards
INCOIS and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India sanctioned two electronics display board to KSREC which were installed in two major landing centres of the Trivandrum coast in Anchuthengu and Mariyanadu. The digital board at Mariyanadu was inaugurated on July 28, 2009 and the State is planning to establish the facility in all the fish landing centres. In other landing centres, the information is passed to the fishing community through Phone/ Fax/ Internet. The information is translated to Malayalam, the local language, and delivered to the fishermen. The measurement is also converted into local measurements for easy usage. The warning system has come as a welcome relief to the fishing community in Kerala. The benefits are already visible with improved fish catch and the quality of life of fishermen rising by many notches.
 Dr N C Anil Kumar
Scientist, Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre
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