Venturing into deep-sea was never so easy for fisher-folks of Puducherry, courtesy accurate forecast by INCOIS

Details:

The accurate weather forecasts and advisories by the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) have not only helped save the lives of the fishermen in Karaikal district of Puducherry but has also up-scaled their livelihood by increasing the catch. It has also reduced damage to property and has empowered the fisher-folks who now venture into the deep sea for fishing activities without any fear.

Sakthivel, a small fisherman from TR Pattinam village, said, “earlier, before Tsunami, the fishermen use to mainly rely on the traditional knowledge for venturing into the sea. The fishermen predicted water currents, weather forecast, etc using this knowledge”.

However, due to drastically changing climate and temperature patterns, the traditional knowledge is no more of much use in predicting the weather and oceanic current patterns. While the forecast services provided by INCOIS and MSSRF are proving very helpful and accurate.

“Venturing into the sea without proper forecast has caused loss to lives and property to the fishermen,” said Sakthivel. Adding, “Now the information received through INCOIS and MSSRF is a decision-making tool and helped save lives and damage to property or assets.”

INCOIS gives information three days in advance and thus prevents fishermen from potential dangers. Livelihood has increased and more than 1 lakh fishermen are using INCOIS data to venture into the sea with safety. Update on cyclones and other disaster alerts are also very helpful.

However, the fisher-folks said that now they have to venture into the deep sea for fishing activities and it would be better if forecasts are made a fortnight in advance.

Fishermen are now able to venture into the deep sea both with the help of fiber and mechanized boats, to a greater distance than earlier, and this has led to increasing in their catch. Now, they are also able to provide good education to their children.

The empowerment of the fishermen community is the testimony of the reach of science and technology to the grass root level for the benefit of society.

Principal Investigator: Dr. S Velvizhi, Senior Scientist, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation velvizhi@mssrf.res.in

Implementing Agency: M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, 3rd Cross Street, Institutional Area, Taramani, Chennai 600 113

Funding Agency: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)