From January 9, drones to keep an eye on illegal fishing along Maharashtra’s coast

State Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane said the department’s vessels usually carry out patrolling operations. “But it is not possible for patrol boats to inspect every boat. Unauthorised boats often escape and are difficult to catch. The drone monitoring system will compensate for this,” he said, adding that it will also help enhance the security of coastal areas.

The Fisheries Act is intended to protect the interests of the state’s traditional fishing community and to prevent illegal fishing in its waters by migrant fishermen.

“The use of drones…will help the department patrol the waters more effectively, get information on unauthorised fishing boats, with evidence, and it will be convenient to take strict action under the maritime law,” Rane said.

The fast drones will help monitor several areas simultaneously, officials said. After mapping fishing boats using drones, the department will easily have information regarding unauthorised fishing boats. The drones will be used to monitor the coastal areas of the state in coordination with the Marine Police Department, officials added. They will also help enhance maritime security.

The drone system will cover a distance of 12 nautical miles from the state’s 720-km-long coastline to its maritime boundary. Streaming from the drone system will be used as evidence regarding unauthorised fishing boats.

Nine drone-flying demonstrations were conducted in this connection in Palghar (Shirgaon), Thane (Uttan), Mumbai Suburban (Gorai), Mumbai City (Sassoon Dock), Raigad (Rewdanda, Shrivardhan), Ratnagiri (Mirkarwadi, Sakhrinate) and Sindhudurg (Devgad).