THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With emergency preparedness being the key to disaster management, the Fisheries Department has floated an idea to provide training to some 900 fishermen in the state in sea-related disasters. The proposal, which has been handed over to fisheries minister J Mercykutty Amma, is expected to be slated for approval in the next Cabinet meeting.
As per the novel initiative, fishermen, selected from 60 fishing villages, will be sent for training at Goa-based National Institute of Watersports and Mumbai-based Marine Training Academy in handling sea-re l at e d disasters. “What we plan to do is to raise up a dedicated team of fishermen having sound knowledge in handling sea-related disasters. The fishermen who will be provided with hi-tech training in disaster management will then be designated as first responders during times of disaster,” said Mercykutty Amma. The minister said `7 crore has already been earmarked for the project. “The initiative will help the fisherfolks a lot as they will get an understanding on the interventions and activities to be undertaken when a disaster strikes.
Though the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has been kept in the loop, the Fisheries Department is yet to come up with a detailed proposal on the project,” said Joe John George, State Project Officer, UNDP Project, KSDMA. M Thajudeen, deputy director (Marine), told ‘Express’ that the fishermen between the ages of 20 and 40 with ‘a sound knowledge’ on deepsea fishing will be selected for the programme. Other than identifying 15 ‘able-bodied’ fishermen from each fishing villages, it has also been decided to identify five fishing vessels from each fishing villages which could be used during times of disasters, the deputy director said. “We will send the fishermen for a 20-day training programme at National Institute of Watersports. As it will be a certificate course, it will come handy in their job search too. The 900 fishermen will act like a reserve team.
The department will seek their services as and when needed,” said Thajudeen. It is a fact that the department stated to think about such projects only after the Ockhi disaster. Indian Navy and Coast Guard had to turn to local fishermen for their advice during Ockhi rescue operations. “The local fishermen who venture into the sea have a good understanding of the waves and the wind than the enforcement agencies. We will cash in on that. The project will not only help the enrollees but will also help those who are around them,” said Mercykutty Amma.