Even as defence minister A.K. Antony inaugurated the Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) that uses the Chain of Static Sensors (CSS) to identify vessels on Saturday, it was announced that the fishing boats in the waters cannot be accounted for using this technology. However, the government has started working on a pilot project to keep an eye on the fishing boats and its movements; it is expected to be ready by 2013.
Identification of fishing boats and dhows is presently a blind spot that needs to be covered. To include fishing boats and traditional crafts into the CSN, state governments as well as shipping ministry has been asked to create a data bank of such vessels.
“At the moment there are pilot projects in the pipeline for tracking of fishing boats and dhows. Three technologies have been identified and depending on the results, further measures would be taken in this regard,” said a source.
The three technologies are Automatic Identification System by Directorate General of Lightships and Lighthouses, Radio Frequency Identification and Mobile Satellite Service to be implemented by the Indian Coast Guard. In his speech, during the inauguration of CSN, he had said, “The various agencies involved in facilitating the security of the coastal areas have to synergise their efforts and share real time information.”
The concerned departments in the Union government have also taken initiatives that are in the pipeline, in order to have adequate legislations in accordance with the international conventions. This move would help in empowering the maritime agencies and security forces with enough legal backup.
Talking about ceasefire violations from the neighbouring countries, Mr Antony had said that such violations occur occasionally and there is a mechanism to sort it out.