Maharashtra : With the aim of observing the manner of fishing of each boat, controlling illegal fishing and keeping an eye on other boats in the sea, State department of fisheries has directed fishermen who own mechanised boats to install CCTV cameras at their own expense.
The order was first discussed among the members of Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti and Fisheries, Ports and Textiles Minister Aslam Shaikh in February,
Although, Fishermen bodies criticized the order and claimed that a fisherman is not able to bear the costs of installing and maintaining security cameras.
“In February, we had requested the minister to install CCTV cameras at 173 active landing points in Maharashtra. We have been demanding this ever since the 26/11 terror attacks. If there were CCTV cameras on the docks, the government could have immediately identified the trawler that brought the whale shark on shore in Mumbai earlier this week”, says Damodar Tandel, who heads the Samiti.
He further added that it would be difficult for fishermen to afford the expenses for Installing a CCTV camera and electric dynamo to power, which will cost between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000 and Fishermen earns between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 a month, so how can they afford? Even small mechanised couldn’t find space in fixing CCTV cameras and store recording devices.
Fisheries Commissioner Atul Patne said that after whale shark incident, it is important for boats to have CCTV cameras and fishermen to share their data regularly. 70 ports has been indentified for the necessity of CCTV cameras. The system will require 24/7 monitoring and regular maintenance
In addition he said that smaller boats can install with one to three cylinder engines as they are not large enough to accommodate cabins for fixing cameras.
In the July circular, State Fisheries department has ordered all mechanised fishing boats with one to six cylinder engines to install CCTV cameras and share their security footage every 15 days.
Source: Indian express
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