The Government of India has officially declared August 23rd as “National Space Day” to commemorate the historic success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. This mission marked India’s significant achievement in space exploration, with the Vikram Lander safely landing on the Moon and deploying the Pragyaan rover near the lunar South Pole. This accomplishment positions India as the fourth country to successfully land on the Moon and the first to do so near its South Pole, an event celebrated nationwide during July and August 2024.
To mark this occasion, the Department of Fisheries is organizing a “Celebration of National Space Day” event on August 13, 2024, at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. The event will be graced by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, along with Ministers of State, Prof. S. P Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian. Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaskh Likhi, and other key dignitaries will also be present.
In alignment with the celebration, the Department of Fisheries is conducting a series of seminars and demonstrations across 18 locations in coastal states and Union Territories. These sessions will focus on the application of space technologies in the fisheries sector, covering topics such as satellite-based communication, navigation, and data analytics to enhance marine fisheries management.
The Indian fisheries sector, which plays a vital role in the nation’s economy, is set to benefit significantly from these advancements. Technologies like Satellite Remote Sensing, Earth Observations, and Satellite-based Navigation Systems have already made transformative impacts, such as identifying potential fishing zones and monitoring ocean health. These innovations have increased the estimated marine fisheries potential of India from 3.49 lakh tonnes in 2014 to 5.31 lakh tonnes in 2023, aiding sustainable management and better yields.
The Department of Fisheries, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), supports these technological initiatives through the Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) systems. These efforts include deploying transponders and communication devices on fishing vessels to enhance maritime safety and efficiency.
As part of this initiative, the Department has approved the National Rollout Plan for Vessel Communication and Support System, which aims to install 100,000 transponders on marine fishing vessels across nine coastal states and four Union Territories, with an investment of ₹364 crores.
The celebration of National Space Day highlights the integration of space technology with various sectors, including fisheries, demonstrating India’s commitment to innovation and sustainable development.
