Stake holders’ workshop on development and implementation of Turtle Excluder Device in India

A workshop on Development and Implementation of the Turtle Excluder Device was conducted at ICAR-CIFT from 19-25 February, 2024, in collaboration with Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). Three experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were the resource persons for the workshop. The training sessions was held at the gear fabrication facility of ICAR-CIFT in which participants were given hands-on training on TED fabrication. 

The core group, comprising 16 members from ICAR-CIFT, FSI, NETFISH-MPEDA, and CIFNET, underwent training for the first two days. The subsequent two days were dedicated to training of net menders from various organizations and State Nodal Officers for TED. On 24th of February, onboard trials of the new TED was organized using ICAR-CIFT research vessel and two commercial vessels to demonstrate the functioning of TED. 
NOAA officials - Mr. Jared R Milton, Section 609 Programme Manager, Mr. Jeff Gearhart, Chief of the Gear and Vessel Support Branch at NOAA, and Mr. Kendal M Falana, Gear Specialist at NOAA – handled the theory/practical classes.

During summing-up meeting various concerns expressed by the participants were addressed. The meeting was attended by officials from US NOAA, the US Embassy of India in New Delhi, MPEDA, ICAR-CIFT, Nodal Officers from State Fisheries Department, representatives of the fishing boat owner’s association from all coastal states, representatives of seafood export association of India and MPEDA-NETFISH, net makers and boat operator’s association leaders.