In a significant step towards promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting marine biodiversity, Shri. George Kurian, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Minority Affairs, distributed 45 CIFT-Turtle Excluder Devices (CIFT-TEDs) to fishermen in Kerala on 3 March 2026. TEDs developed by ICAR-CIFT are specialized trawl net modifications designed to allow sea turtles to escape while retaining the target shrimp catch.

The distribution took place during the Review Meeting-cum-Workshop on the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) held at Kochi. The initiative was implemented by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) with financial support from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. The project represents an important effort by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, to encourage responsible fishing technologies that protect endangered marine species while safeguarding fishermen’s livelihoods. Adoption of this technology significantly reduces incidental sea turtle mortality and contributes to the conservation of marine ecosystems along the Indian coastline.

During the programme, Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, delivered a technical presentation on the design, performance, and nationwide implementation of CIFT-TEDs. The 45 Turtle Excluder Devices were manufactured by the ICAR-CIFT Empanelled agency FishEye.