KOCHI: The E-samudra Android app conceived by the Ernakulam district administration for effective use of technology in the fishing sector would have its formal launch by this month-end. It has been developed in such a way as to ensure access on any Android-based smartphone.
“We are planning to launch the app officially by this month-end. Our efforts are to increase the coverage of the app up to 35 nautical miles. The point-to-point navigation by exploring the digital map will be highly beneficial to the fishermen,” said District Collector K Mohammed Y Safeerullah.
According to the collector, “E-samudra is extremely helpful to the fishermen. So I am requesting all fishermen to download the app on their mobiles once it is made available to them”.
And a select group of 50 fishermen will be provided training in using the application. The final version of the app will be based on the feedback received from them. The trial run of the app’s second phase was conducted successfully the other day.
District Collector K Mohammed Y Safeerullah; Telecom deputy director Reghunandan and Fisheries director S Mahesh along with marine enforcement officials and fishermen representatives were present at the trial run which was held 12.5 nautical miles off Kochi.
Its major aim is to help identify the position of the boats and the rafts at sea and locate the targeted fishing areas.
Besides, the application will pass on information related to oceanic conditions, change in the weather patterns, danger zones and the distance to the nearest shore.
The application developed with the assistance of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Fisheries Department mainly relies on the GPS for identifying the position of the boats.