Sri Vijaya Puram, July 9: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have achieved a landmark milestone in advancing sustainable and responsible marine fisheries with the successful installation of the first-ever Turtle Excluder Device (TED) in a pelagic trawl net operating in the waters of the Islands. This pioneering initiative marks a significant step towards balancing marine resource utilization with the conservation of ecologically important marine species. In line with the Andaman & Nicobar Marine Fishing Rules (Amendment), 2025, the installation of Turtle Excluder Devices has been made mandatory in all pelagic trawl nets operating in the Islands. The measure is aimed at substantially reducing the accidental capture of endangered sea turtles, promoting responsible fishing practices, and safeguarding the rich marine biodiversity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for future generations.
The first installation has been carried out in the pelagic trawler bearing registration number IND-AN-SA-MM-2527. The procured the Turtle Excluder Device from a manufacturer empanelled by ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) and approved by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India. The installation was carried out with the technical support of Fishery Survey of India, Sri Vijaya Puram. Dr. C. Babu, Fisheries Scientist, Shri Puran Singh, Sr. Scientific Assistant from FSI, Sri Vijaya Puram base and Shri Hemanto Kirtonia, Incharge, Fish Landing Centre, Junglighat participated in the installation work.
The Turtle Excluder Device (TED) is a specially designed grid fitted inside trawl nets that allows sea turtles and other large marine animals to escape while retaining the target catch. Its mandatory use is aimed at significantly reducing the bycatch of non-target species, particularly endangered sea turtles, thereby conserving marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable, eco-friendly fishing practices. Properly designed TEDs have minimal impact on shrimp catches while improving catch quality by excluding large unwanted organisms and marine debris. The adoption of TEDs also enhances the economic prospects of marine fishers by facilitating compliance with national and international fisheries conservation and trade regulations, thereby supporting exports of fish and fishery products. In addition, the initiative strengthens the conservation and management of sea turtle populations and promotes awareness among fishers on responsible fishing practices, sustainable fisheries management, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
The mandatory fitment of Turtle Excluder Devices in trawl nets is being implemented with financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Component of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) as a non-beneficiary activity. In the case of A&N Islands, the activity is supported with 100% Central assistance, enabling the Department to facilitate the implementation of this important conservation measure.