The Hindu Business Line : Meet on biz opportunities in marine sector

Applying information and communication technology in coastal fisheries, desalination technologies and transporting freshwater are some business opportunities that entrepreneurs could exploit in the marine sector, according to Dr P.S. Goel, Secretary, Department of Ocean Development.

Addressing an international conference on marine hazards and opportunities inaugurated here on Monday, he said that a programme by the department to provide information on potential fishing zones had demonstrated major benefits. Fish catches do not increase but the time and effort in getting the catches goes down by a factor of 2 or 3. The savings on diesel alone is estimated at about Rs 200 crore a year.

Real time information

Fishermen would welcome such information which has to be provided real time. There is a business opportunity here for mobile service providers, he said.

Also in the pipeline are desalination plants along the coast, while the Government could put up one or two units it is up to the private sector to exploit the business opportunity widely, Mr Goel said.

Far flung islands need a regular supply of freshwater, technology is being developed to tow huge bags of freshwater using low powered boats, Mr Goel said.

Mr R. Santhanam, Special Commissioner, Revenue Administration and Relief, Tamil Nadu, said the State Government was open to new ideas and suggestions on business opportunities. Funds for livelihood restoration projects were not a constraint with the Asian Development Bank providing $49 million (Rs 220 crore) and the International Fund for Agriculture Development offering $30 million (Rs 135 crore), he said.

A seaweed cultivation project with a buyback arrangement tied up with the private sector has contributed to women in coastal areas in Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin earning Rs 4,000 a month, he said.