The Board of Directors of the Mexican Confederation of Fishing and Aquaculture Cooperatives (Conmecoop) considered it necessary to resume the program of installing satellite chips in the entity’s coastal vessels, to have more precise monitoring of their locations, which makes rescue work in case of an emergency.
José Luis Carrillo Galaz, president of that council, recalled that it has been proposed that boats have this type of technology similar to what cell phones have and that allows, via satellite, to see the location of people in real-time, in this case, would be the fishermen and their boats.
The leader of this Council, which brings together more than 500 fishing cooperatives throughout the country, explained that, even though some vessels have a GPS system and a communication radio, if the radio stops working they have no way of sending their location, which would be avoided if the installation of those chips is resumed.
“Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena has already ordered that boats have a civil band radio to avoid tragedies such as those that occurred during the recent passage of Hurricane Milton through the region in which several fishermen were surprised by the meteor,” he recalled.
“We hope that, to the extent possible, the installation of these chips will also be considered, which would be a more effective complement to take care of the lives of fishermen who dedicate themselves to coastal fishing and who are the most vulnerable to climatic conditions,” he added.
Carrillo Galaz indicated that the reality is after the passage of “Milton”, it was more than clear that it is necessary to improve the technology and safety protocols of the vessels, especially the coastal ones, and it is also necessary to review and improve the rescue protocols by the Secretary of the Navy.
“I believe that after this event, many irregularities came to light in the sector, especially in how small vessels work, which are those that do not dispatch to the Port Captaincy, deficiencies were shown where there is evident responsibility of the authorities. , but also from fellow fishermen,” he considered.
The president of that council added that the organization he represents has proposed the creation of a Committee for the Safeguarding of Human Life, to act in a more coordinated and timely manner in rescue efforts by sea and land, in which cooperatives participate, and the authorities of the Captaincy, Navy and the State Government.