Cochin Shipyard Limited said it has signed an agreement to construct 16 Tuna Long Lining & Gillnetting fishing vessels for fishermen in the Palk strait between India and Sri Lanka, making its entry into the fishing boat segment.
The 22-meter long boats are being built to try to upgrade fishermen from the damaging practice of trawling to ‘long lining’ and ‘gillnetting’.
Trawling of fish tends to be the most popular way of large-scale fishing in India, but tends to affect the population of sea creatures as it traps fish of all sizes.
Each boat will get a subsidy of Rs 56 lakhs from the central and state governments, and is part of project Blue Revolution.
Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) will help Cochin Shipyard develop the ships. Cochin Shipyard typically deals with much larger ships used for carrying containers or used for defense purposes.
The government-controlled company said it wants to bring modern and efficient products to the unorganised fishing sector. This, it said will not only benefit the fishermen, but also the ecology.
“The current order for 16 boats, has been construed by CSL as a Pilot project as part of its attempt to venture into and understand the requirements of this sector,” it said.