“Vietnam trains Indian fishermen” is the title of an article on “The Hindu” newspaper on June 9, highlighting the effectiveness and benefit of learning Vietnam’s experiences in aquaculture and protection of maritime resources.
The paper cited a fisherman from Rameswaram, E. Altrin, who is one of eight fishermen receiving training in advanced fishing methods in Vietnam, as saying that knowledge from the course would help Indian fishermen increase their income significantly.
In the past, Altrin could get only 150 rupee (about 3 USD) per kg for juvenile lobsters, each weighing 50gm in the past. Now, after raising these juveniles in floating cages in the sea to around 150 to 200 gm, he can earn 1,000 rupee per kg, according to the paper.
India opted for the training programme in Vietnam, which proved beneficial because it is an Asian country, said Benjamin Cherian, Chairman of the Relief Committee and former Governor of District 3230.
Cherian, who visited Vietnam during the training period, said that if Vietnam, which had one third of India's coastal belt, had emerged as a major leader in the world fishing industry, India could replicate the success.
Keen on providing training in advanced fishing to more fishermen, the Rotary International District 3230 has sent a proposal to the Union Ministry of Agriculture for 10 fishermen from each 11 coastal States to be sent to Vietnam./.