The Statefisheries departmentis all set to impart training for fishermen on how to operate transponders that are fitted in their boats in the second week of June. The department has so far fitted 645 transponders in deep seafishingboats and trawlers atKasimedufishing harbour.
A senior official from the department said a total of 750 deep-sea fishing vessels are in Kasimedu. The remaining 100 fishing vessels in Kasimedu need to be fitted with the device, developed by theIndian Space Research Organization(ISRO). Fishermen are now busy repairing their boats. So once the fishing ban period is over, the training will be provided to them, the official said.
However, one of the deep-sea fishing boat owners B Muthukumaran said once the ban period is over, it will be difficult for the department officials to catch hold of the fishermen. So, it is better to impart the training at the earliest, he said.