Navi Mumbai: Reliance Foundation, in collaboration with the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), organized a large-scale campaign aimed at empowering fishing communities in Maharashtra through the use of technology for sustainable fisheries.
The joint initiative, titled ‘Mega Awareness Campaign on Ocean Information and Advisory Services,’ held as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, saw extensive engagement with over 200 coastal fishermen from Maharashtra. The event, conducted in Navi Mumbai recently provided fishermen with hands-on experiences in utilizing information services and technology to enhance their livelihoods.
Jagannatha Kumar, CEO of Reliance Foundation, highlighted the enduring partnership with INCOIS, emphasizing its role in assisting marine fishing communities in adapting to climate challenges for a more secure future.
The campaign served as a platform for fishermen to interact with government representatives, key research and development organizations, and stakeholders. During a stakeholder consultation, a group of fishermen who have utilized INCOIS and Reliance Foundation’s information services provided valuable feedback to strengthen these services.
Experts from esteemed institutions such as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), NETFISH-MPEDA, Fishery Survey of India, Reliance Foundation, and the Mangrove Foundation addressed critical fisheries concerns at the event.
Dr. T Srinivas Kumar, Director of INCOIS, emphasized the campaign’s success in significantly raising public awareness about ocean information and advisory services. The initiative effectively underscored the vital role oceans play in supporting economic growth and promoted the concept of the Blue Economy.
Reliance Foundation’s CEO, Jagannatha Kumar, noted India’s position as the third-largest fish producer globally and highlighted the government’s commitment, through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), to further the Blue Revolution. He mentioned that the foundation has been actively contributing to enhancing the lives and livelihoods of fishing communities through initiatives like the ‘Machli’ app, promoting sustainable fishing practices and improving information generation by incorporating feedback from the fishing community to experts.