A three-day training programme aimed at strengthening technical skills among fishermen concluded at Campbell Bay, with a focus on boat engine maintenance and improved fishing practices to enhance safety, efficiency and livelihoods in the Nicobar region.
The programme was organised by the Department of Fisheries, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, in collaboration with the Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training. Conducted under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and funded by the National Fisheries Development Board, the initiative formed part of broader efforts to modernise traditional fishing practices through structured capacity building.
A total of 25 fishermen from Campbell Bay participated in the training, which combined classroom instruction with hands-on practical demonstrations. The blended approach was designed to ensure that participants not only understood theoretical concepts but were also able to apply them in real-world fishing operations.
During the final day of the programme, participants received detailed inputs on routine maintenance of boat engines, identification of common mechanical defects and basic troubleshooting techniques. Emphasis was placed on preventive maintenance as a means to reduce breakdowns at sea, improve fuel efficiency and enhance operational safety.
In addition to engine maintenance, the training covered various fishing practices aimed at promoting sustainability and efficiency. Participants were exposed to techniques that can help optimise catch while reducing stress on marine resources, aligning livelihood needs with long-term conservation goals.
The sessions were conducted by experienced faculty members from the training institute, who focused on practical, field-oriented instruction. Fishermen were encouraged to actively engage with equipment, tools and diagnostic processes, ensuring that the learning translated into usable skills once they returned to regular fishing activities.
Officials highlighted that such training programmes are particularly crucial for remote regions like Campbell Bay, where access to technical expertise and repair facilities can be limited. Building local capacity in engine maintenance reduces dependence on external assistance and minimises downtime caused by mechanical failures.
At the concluding session, certificates of participation were distributed to all 25 fishermen, formally acknowledging the skills and knowledge gained during the programme. The certification also serves as a record of training under national fisheries development schemes.
The Department of Fisheries indicated that continuous skill development remains a priority, as modernisation of the fisheries sector depends not only on equipment and infrastructure but also on the technical proficiency of fishermen. Training initiatives under PMMSY are expected to continue across different parts of the islands.
For the participants, the programme represented an opportunity to upgrade traditional knowledge with technical inputs, improving both safety at sea and economic outcomes. As fishing remains a major livelihood activity in the Nicobar Islands, such targeted capacity-building efforts are seen as integral to sustaining the sector.
The completion of the Campbell Bay training reflects ongoing coordination between the UT administration and national institutions to ensure that fishermen in remote island regions are not left out of modernisation and development initiatives underway in the fisheries sector.
