Sea safety on traditional fishing crafts along Andhra Pradesh coast

Abstract

Fishing operations with respect to the distance from the shore, duration of fishing (Time) and the safety measures by traditional fishing crafts- non-motorised (NM), motorised –outboard (M-OBM) and motorised-outboard (M-IBM) have been studied at three coastal fishermen villages- Bandarvanipeta in Srikakulam district, Danavaipeta in East Godavari district and Kothapatnam in Prakasam district have been studied for two years (2003 & 2004). The average distances of fishing operations from the shore were 5.5 km (NM), 12.3 km (M-OBM) and 26.7 km (M-IBM) at Bandarvanipeta; 8.8 km (NM), 12.9 km (M-OBM) and 27.0 (M-IBM) at Danavaipeta; 7.7km (NM), 10.3 (M-OBM) and 22.5 km (M-IBM) at Kothapatnam. The fishing time by NM category was < 24h. It was also shorter period in case of M-OBM, but some time it was 36h at Danavaipeta and Kothapatnam. The fishing period in M-IBM was between 49-60h. As far as communication, radio was in use by all types of boats, cell phones by M-OBM and M-IBM boats, but there were no signal flags. Oil lamps, sails and oars were navigational equipment on all boats. In addition torch lights, compass and tool-kits were in use on M-OBM and M-IBM boats. Life saving appliances on all types of boats were rice, drinking water and emergency items like bread, jam, biscuits and first aid boxes were mostly used by M-OBM and M-IBM boats. The average experience of fishing knowledge on NM, M-OBM and M-IBM boats was 15.4, 13.3 and 14.6 years respectively.