ICAR-CIFT to Provide 30 Standardised Fishing Boat Designs for Andaman

The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) will provide technical support to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for geographical indication (GI) tagging of traditional fish products and standardisation of fishing boat designs, an official statement said on Thursday.

The institute has entered into two consultancy agreements with the Department of Fisheries of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, headquartered in Sri Vijaya Puram, to strengthen the fisheries sector and improve livelihood opportunities for local and tribal communities.

Under the first agreement, ICAR-CIFT will facilitate GI tagging for two indigenous fish products Chilled Andaman Coral Trout, also known as Dollar Fish, and Nicobari Thoharango, a traditional smoked and dried fish product.

The institute will undertake nutritional profiling and shelf-life studies, establish standardised safety protocols and provide technical training to local and tribal producers. The initiative aims to improve product quality, preserve traditional fish-processing practices and enhance market access and commercial value for the islands' indigenous fish products.

Under the second agreement, ICAR-CIFT will provide 30 standardised fishing boat designs covering different sizes and categories of motorised and mechanised vessels. The designs will include revised drawings, technical specifications and cost estimates to facilitate boat construction by eligible beneficiaries under the Union Territory Plan.

The proposed designs will incorporate various construction materials, including wood, fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP), wood with FRP coating and steel, allowing beneficiaries to choose suitable options for building fishing boats.

The collaboration is expected to promote technology-driven fisheries development while supporting sustainable fishing practices and strengthening the economic prospects of island communities.

The agreements are also intended to improve access to technical expertise and encourage the adoption of standardised practices in fish processing and fishing vessel construction.

The memoranda of agreement were exchanged between ICAR-CIFT Director George Ninan and Nesnas E A, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, officials said.