India declares August 23 as National Space Day to celebrate success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission

The Government of India has officially designated August 23 as "National Space Day" to celebrate the success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. This mission marked a historic milestone by achieving a safe and soft landing of the Vikram Lander and deploying the Pragyaan rover on the Moon’s south pole. With this achievement, India becomes the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to reach its south pole. The celebration, which spans July and August 2024, aims to inspire and engage the younger generation in space science and technology.

In concurrence with National Space Day, the Department of Fisheries organised a series of seminars and demonstrations across coastal states and Union Territories to explore the "Application of Space Technologies in the Fisheries Sector today, August 13. The central event was held at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi at 10 AM, attended by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, along with Ministers of State Prof. S. P Singh Baghel and George Kurian. Dr. Abhilaskh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, will also be present. The seminars and demonstrations will include participation from the Department of Space, the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), New Space India Ltd., and various stakeholders such as fishermen, Sagar Mitras, fisheries cooperatives, research institutes, and academic institutions.
 
The Indian fisheries sector plays an important role in providing sustenance, employment, and economic opportunities to people especially in rural areas thereby contributing to the Indian economy. India has an extensive coastline stretching 8,118 km, and a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)  in the Indian Ocean covering 2.02 million square km, and abundant inland water resources, this showcases India's rich and flourishing fisheries ecosystem.

The collaboration between the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Space aims to leverage space technologies to enhance marine fisheries management. Innovations such as Satellite Remote Sensing, Earth Observations, Satellite-Based Navigation Systems, GIS, Satellite Communication, Data Analytics, and AI have brought transformative changes to the sector, contributing to the sustainable management of marine resources.

Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) Advisories are a key advancement, utilizing data from satellites like Ocean-sat to identify and disseminate information about potential fishing grounds to fishers. These advisories have significantly increased India’s estimated marine fisheries potential from 3,49,000 tonnes in 2014 to 5,31,000 tonnes in 2023, reducing the time and effort fishermen spend at sea.

Satellite-Based Navigation Systems and GIS use Indian Constellation (NavIC) for GNSS tracking of fishing vessels and GIS mapping to recognize marine habitats, fishing grounds, and protected areas. Satellite communication networks facilitate real-time data exchange between vessels, shore-based stations, and research institutions, improving maritime domain awareness, safety, and the livelihoods of fishermen.

Data Analytics and AI enhance fisheries management by predicting fish distributions, detecting anomalies, and optimizing practices using data from various sources. These systems increase efficiency and safety at sea through satellite monitoring, which helps detect illegal activities, supports aqua mapping, and provides disaster warnings. Technologies like image sensing and aqua zoning offer precise tools for effective fisheries management.

Satellite Remote Sensing involves monitoring ocean conditions such as color, chlorophyll content, and sea surface temperature with satellites like Ocean-sat and INSAT. Helping identify potential fishing grounds and detect environmental changes like phytoplankton blooms and pollutants. Earth Observations leverage satellites to track ocean currents, waves, and extreme weather, optimizing fishing operations and ensuring safety.

The Government of India supports these advancements through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) under the Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) framework. This includes providing communication and tracking devices such as VHF radios, Distress Alert Transmitters, and transponders for fishing vessels with services such as (NavIC), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Automatic Identification System (AIS). The Department has also approved a National Rollout Plan to install 1,00,000 transponders on marine fishing vessels across nine coastal states and four Union Territories, with an investment of Rs. 364 Crores. This initiative aims to enhance monitoring, control, and surveillance in the fisheries sector, ensuring sustainable management and improved safety for fishermen