Puri: The state government has introduced measures to ensure safety of fishermen who venture into the sea.
Fisheries department joint director Pratap Ranjan Rout has distributed Distress Alert Transmitters (DATs) among at least 200 fishermen of Penthakata area at a special event here recently.
Sources said scientists at the Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad have developed the satellite-linked DATs.
“Now, fishermen can send an alert to the Indian Coastguards in case of emergency situations like fire, drowning or boat mishaps by pressing the designated button of the DAT. The coastguards will immediately respond and take steps to help the fishermen in distress,” Rout said. District additional marine fisheries officer Debendra Kumar Behera, fishermen’s association leader Tata Rao and a few officials of the Fisheries department were present at the DAT distribution event.
“Our experts have briefed the fishermen on the necessity and proper utilisation of the DATs. We hope that the initiative will come in handy for the fishermen who venture into the sea regularly,” Rout added. PNN
DATs boon for fishermen in distress
