The district administration is all set to launch e-samudra, a mobile application aimed at helping fishermen gather information, including data on weather and sea level changes in real time, by the end of February. District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla made an announcement to this effect here on Monday. He was attending a trial run of the application, developed by the district administration in association with telecom and fisheries departments. The trial run was conducted around 13.5 nautical miles off the Kochi Coast. Besides the Collector, V. Raghunandan, Deputy Director General, (Telecom Enforcement), DOT, representatives of Marine Enforcement and fishermen community were present on the occasion. Meanwhile, fishermen requested Mr. Safirulla to make the app available at the earliest. The collector said a select batch of 50 fishermen would be given training in using the application, and based on their feedback, the app would be duly updated before the launch. The application, to be used to pass on information to fisher folks on climatic variations, oceanic condition, targeted zones for better catch, landing centres, and the market price of the produce, can be accessed using any Android-based smart phone. It will come in handy for fishworkers to access information about various projects and financial assistance available to them. The app boasts features that help one locate boats and facilitate point-to-point navigation. Besides specifying fertile fishing zones, e-samudra will guide fisherfolk through Google Maps. Communication with those on the shore will also be possible through the app as it offers telecommunication coverage up to 35 nautical miles. It will tap mobile data in areas with network coverage and through SMS when out of it. The map will alert fishworkers when they are in danger of crossing over coastal borders. SOS can also be send over the app.
2017, The Hindu.