Sri Vijaya Puram, July 09: Dakshin Foundation-ANET, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries organised a one-day training for SagarMitras of South Andaman at their ANET field station in North Wandoor. Dr. Naveen Namboothiri, Founder Trustee and Programme Head of Sustainable Fisheries programme at Dakshin, along with Dakshin’s team, facilitated the training attended by 25 participants, including Area Fisheries Guards and SagarMitras from the South Andaman District, with outstation staff joining through video conferencing. Assistant Director of Fisheries, Mr. Nesnas E.A, the Chief Guest for the event, highlighted the importance of collaboration between Dakshin and the Department of Fisheries for working towards improved fisheries management and fisher wellbeing.
The training was designed to strengthen the capacities of the SagarMitras to perform their roles and responsibilities. They play an important role as an interface between the Department of Fisheries and the fishers. The training began with an overview of the marine ecosystems and the history of fisheries development in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Sessions included the importance of fisheries management and monitoring, use of digital tools and field protocols for generating reliable datasets. The training also focused on the legal and policy framework governing marine fisheries, with sessions focusing on the Andaman Nicobar Islands Marine Fishing Regulation (ANIMFR), the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA), and the role of SagarMitra’s in supporting the effective implementation of marine policies.
The meeting concluded with an interactive group exercise in which participants discussed strategies to overcome the day-to-day challenges they face through four different case studies. The activity encouraged collaborative problem-solving and reinforced key concepts covered during the training. By enhancing the capacities of SagarMitras, the initiative contributes to improving fisheries monitoring, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and promoting sustainable fisheries management in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
