National Roll-out Plan for the Vessel Communication and Support System:
The Union Department of Fisheries approved the national rollout of the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS) under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
- It envisages installation of indigenously developed transponders on one lakh marine fishing vessels covering mechanized and motorized vessels of all 13 coastal States and UTs.
- It also focuses on establishment of the required earth station and associated communication infrastructure and development of the ‘Nabhmitra’ application in regional languages.
- The transponders are provided free of cost to eligible fishermen under the project.
- The project will be implemented on a 60:40 cost-sharing basis between the Centre and the States, while Union Territories will receive 100 per cent central assistance.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
- The Vessel Communication and Support System is a satellite based two-way communication system.
- It helps the fishers out at sea for sea-safety and security, provides alerts during adverse weather conditions, ‘No Fishing Zones’, International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with geo-fencing and integration with the Nabhmitra App.
- It is being implemented with technical support of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
- ISRO has also developed the ‘Nabhmitra’ application to provide real-time communication and support services to the marine fishing community.
- Nabhmitra’ application offers a range of features including periodic position reporting, two-way messaging, emergency and SOS alerts, automatic geo-fencing-based boundary crossing warnings, weather and cyclone advisories, emergency weather alerts, Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) information, navigational assistance, and an e-Token/Trip Declaration system.
