Early Forecast Comes In Handy For This Odisha Fisherman

Bhadrak: Sashikanta Nayak, a traditional fisherman from Chudamani village under Basudevpur block in Bhadrak, is a happy man.

He saw a jump in his catch as well as a rise in income, thanks to a mobile-based information service on fishing.

He is the president of Fishermen Association and uses a motorized boat.

“Most of the fishermen in our association are getting regular Ocean State Forecast and early warnings from Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, through Reliance Foundation Voice message platform,” said Nayak.

Notably, Ocean State Forecast provides relevant information related to sea conditions, wave height, wind speed and direction and current speed from 20 to 50 km.

“Through Ocean State Forecast, we get to know whether it is safe to venture into sea or not. It forewarns us and allows us to return from the sea in time and keep our boats at safer places,” he added.

He said that they completely trust the information provided by Ocean State Forecast. “The advisory helps us assess the climate for the coming days before venturing into the sea. It not only help us take the right decision but also save our input cost (ice, ration, diesel, labor cost) and lives of marine fishermen every season.”

The Reliance Foundation organised need-based knowledge on ocean/training on safety measures, how to use GPS, including ‘search and rescue beacon’, DAT-distress alert transmitter for marine fishermen with expertise support of Indian Coast Guard, Paradip, and Department of Fisheries.