INS Sahyadri Participates In Trilateral Maritime Exercise
Indian Navy’s locally-made warship, INS Sahyadri, took part in its first ever three-way Maritime Partnership Exercise. The event was held from September 20 to 21, 2023, and saw the participation of naval forces from Australia and Indonesia.
This joint effort aimed to enhance security and peace in the Indo-Pacific region by leveraging collective capabilities. In addition, the exercise offered an avenue for the navies to learn from each other.
Key highlights of the event:
- INS Sahyadri was stationed in the Indo-Pacific for this mission.
- Participating naval forces conducted a range of complex tactical and manoeuvring exercises.
- Cross-deck visits and helicopter landings were part of the training to enhance interoperability.
- INS Sahyadri is the third ship of the Project-17 class multirole stealth frigates, built indigenously at Mazagon Dock Ltd in Mumbai.
Artificial Reef Initiative To Revitalise Coastal Fisheries
The Department of Fisheries is investing Rs 126 crore in 732 Artificial Reef (AR) units as part of the Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages sub-activity. The project is under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). It’s a central scheme to rejuvenate coastal fisheries and rebuild fish stocks. Here are the key points:
- The project is a shared effort with Fishery Survey of India (FSI) and ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
- Ten coastal states are involved, all of which have completed site selection.
- Kerala and Maharashtra have finished the tendering process for work execution.
- The project is set to be completed by January 2024.
- The idea is to boost productivity and enhance habitats as per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2015).
Implementing artificial reefs in coastal waters and conducting sea ranching programs in all coastal states are highly effective strategies aimed at revitalising coastal fisheries and replenishing fish populations. These initiatives hold great potential to enhance the overall quality and sustainability of marine ecosystems.
Benefits Of Installing Artificial Reefs
- The benefits of installing artificial reefs are manifold. Just like their natural counterparts, they serve as a habitat for marine life, providing an environment for fish to thrive and grow. Additionally, they aid in marine ecosystem regeneration and act as carbon sinks.
- The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has reported that artificial reefs can lead to a two to three-fold increase in catch rates, thereby boosting income while saving on fuel and energy costs.
- Moreover, artificial reefs present a stable substrate where marine organisms such as corals, algae, and plankton can attach and multiply. They create an ideal environment for sea ranching and function as spawning and nursery grounds for various fish species.
- Recreational activities like fishing, snorkeling, and eco-tourism are enhanced with the installation of artificial reefs.
- They provide prime locations for diving and help mitigate conflicts over fishing areas. Artificial reef structures also play a role in marine conservation by limiting bottom trawling in near shore areas, giving the marine environment a chance to rejuvenate.
- Lastly, an artificial reef covering an area of 300m3 can support between 25 and 30 non-mechanised boats, according to CMFRI. This further underscores the economic advantages of artificial reef installation.
PMMSY
- Launched in May 2020, the PMMSY initiative marked a significant milestone with a record investment of Rs. 20,050 crore.
- Its primary goal is to drive the Blue Revolution by promoting sustainable and responsible development within the fisheries sector.
- Unfortunately, the past few years have witnessed a decline in per capita yield from coastal fisheries, mainly due to increased fishing activities.
- This surge has resulted in a multitude of challenges, including heavy fishing pressure, the loss of fishing grounds due to bottom trawling, and coastal development. Consequently, fishers have experienced reduced income, compelling them to venture into deeper waters.
Celebration Of Sign Language Day
- The International Day of Sign Languages occurs annually on September 23rd.
- In India, the event was hosted by Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) and DEPwD.
- Ever since the United Nations declared 23rd September as the International Day of Sign Languages, the ISLRTC celebrates it every year on 23rd September.
- The celebration targets professionals, parents of deaf individuals, deaf students, and institutions in the field of Indian Sign Language.
- This year’s theme is “A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!”
- The goal is to promote the view of deaf individuals as part of human diversity and celebrate the use of national sign languages.
- Collective efforts from deaf communities, governments, and civil society aim to teach children and youth their national sign languages.
- The ultimate objective is to create societies where deaf individuals can communicate freely anywhere.
During the programme, the following programs and materials were launched:
- The launch of an Indian Sign Language (ISL) course, featuring 30 essential topics across 10 modules for a comprehensive understanding of ISL.
- 267 financial terms in ISL, beneficial for those working in the financial and banking sectors, have been developed in collaboration with ISLRTC, Society General, and V-Shesh.
- A significant compilation of 10,000 ISL dictionary terms is now available on a dedicated website.
- An ISL course has been introduced in Special Schools for the hearing impaired.
- The 6th Indian Sign Language Competition, 2023, a national contest for students with hearing disabilities, was successfully conducted, with awarding of trophies and certificates scheduled for Sign Language Day 2023.