The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval today for the umbrella scheme “Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling and Science – O-SMART.
The scheme with an overall cost of 1623 crore encompasses a total of 16 sub-projects addressing ocean development activities such as Services, Technology, Resources, Observations and Science.
The services rendered under the O-SMART will provide economic benefits to a number of user communities in the coastal and ocean sectors, namely, fisheries, offshore industry, coastal states, Defence, Shipping, Ports etc.
Currently, five lakhs fishermen community is receiving this information daily through mobile which includes allocation of fish potential and local weather conditions in the coastal waters. This will help in reducing the search time for fishermen resulting in savings in the fuel cost.
This scheme also provides necessary scientific and technological background required for implementation of various aspects of Blue Economy.