Tamil Nadu is known for Marine fishing and Ranks 1st in Marine fish production. There are about 6,000 Mechanized fishing vessels including 1,000 deep sea fishing vessels operating all along the coast of Tamil Nadu. Most of these vessels are operated by fishermen based on their traditional skills and without any proper licensing. Under this circumstance, The Department of Fishing Technology of Fisheries College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Thoothukudi and Directorate of Incubation and Vocational Training in Fisheries, Ariyaman Beach, Ramanathapuram, constituent Institutes of Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Nagapattinam have jointly trained a total of 440 fishermen working in mechanized fishing vessels through one week training programme on “Engine maintenance and safety of fishermen at Sea” since 2019. Out of them, 66 fishermen so far obtained Boat Driver License. These fishermen are eligible to apply for Boat Driver License issued by the officials of Department of Fisheries and Fisherman welfare to operate mechanized fishing vessel with the overall length of less than 24 metre fitted with less than 240 HP engine. A function was organized on 11.06.2024 at 10.30 a.m. in the Centre for Incubation and Vocational Training in Fisheries of TNJFU located inside the fishing Harbour complex of Thoothukudi for issuing Boat driver License by the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Thoothukudi. Boat Driver Licenses were issued to a total of 34 fishermen trainees of Thoothukudi district. Dr. B. Ahilan, Dean, FC&RI, Thoothukudi delivered the presidential address. In his presidential address, he stressed the need for Licensing of all the fishermen responsible for navigating the Mechanized fishing vessels of Tamil Nadu to ensure safe operation. Dr. N. Neethiselvan, Professor and Head, Department of Fishing Technology and Fisheries Engineering (DFT&FE), FC&RI, Thoothukudi, Captain J. Mohan Kumar, Dean, Tamil Nadu Maritime Academy, Thoothukudi, Dr. N. V. Sujathkumar, Professor, Dept. of Fisheries Extension, Statistics and Economics (Retired) and Mr. Vijayaragavan, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare also graced the function offering felicitation addresses besides distributing Licenses. Mr.S. Mariappan, Assistant Professor, DFT&FE, delivered welcome address and Er. A. Antony Micheal Prabhakar, Assistant Engineer, DFT&FE delivered the vote of thanks. Mr. T. Patchaiappan, Mr. V. Moulin Chandra, Bosun, Research scholars Miss. Emima jointly organized the programme. The PhD Research Scholar Mrs. S. Archana served as the Master of ceremony.
DEAN
FC&RI, Thoothukudi