Fishermen Urge Skill Training in Net Mending for Youth

Quick Summary:

• Fishermen have requested the revival of net mending training programmes at the Fisheries University in Ponneri to help youth gain skills and start small businesses related to fishing nets.
• The program, which was beneficial for non-boat-owning youngsters, has been put on hold for unspecified reasons.
• Nanjil Ravi from Anaithu Meenavar Sangam expressed concerns that denying training is unfair, especially considering dwindling fish catches.
• A retired Fisheries Department official highlighted that beneficiaries undergo training as part of loan applications through the MSME department. Expenses (such as lunch and travel allowances) were not reimbursed to the University by a Skill Progress Centre during previous batches.
• Community leader M.D.Dayalan suggested expanding similar courses to include fish storage and processing techniques for broader benefits within fishing communities.
• An unnamed official at the University indicated plans to review this issue.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The demand for revitalizing net mending courses highlights critical challenges faced by customary fishing communities amid changing economic and environmental landscapes, such as declining fish stocks and limited job opportunities. Programs like these offer practical solutions by equipping youth with employable skills while fostering entrepreneurship in underserved sectors. Additionally, insights from community leaders signal a need for diversification-training areas like storage or fish processing could serve broader purposes than just traditional roles tied directly to boats or nets.

Reviving such initiatives also requires efficient coordination between institutions (like fisheries University), government bodies, and funding agencies like MSME departments to ensure reimbursement bottlenecks do not derail operations again. If addressed effectively, this issue could enhance self-reliance among fisherfolk while alleviating unemployment pressures within coastal regions.Read more: Article Link