By IANS,
Panaji : Defence Minister A.K. Antony Wednesday said there was an urgent need to incorporate fishermen into the coastal security framework to beef up the country’s maritime intelligence network.
Speaking at a function held in Vasco, 30 km from here, to mark the commissioning of Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vishwast, Antony said: “The fishermen need to be involved in the coastal security framework to act as our eyes and ears.”
The defence minister said the ICG had been asked to act as a coordinating agency for liaisoning with sea-going fishermen “without losing time”.
“The involvement of the state government especially in regulating fishing activities and operationalising the coastal police stations is very important,” Antony said, adding that sensitisation of the coastal population, including education of fishermen, was necessary.
Stressing that coastal security was of ‘utmost importance’ to the central government, Antony underlined the importance of the ICG, especially in view of the “delineation of the continental shelf and the resulting increase in the exclusive economic zones”.
“It means that the ICG will have more sea area to monitor,” Antony said.