The smart catch

India’s long-standing problem of fishermen inadvertently crossing maritime boundaries is beginning to see a structural solution, as satellite navigation devices gain policy backing and wider on-ground adoption. Along the country’s 7,500-km coastline, where millions of fishermen routinely venture into deep waters beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, the risks of detention in neighbouring countries have persisted for decades. What is now changing is not just the technology available at sea, but how it is being deployed at scale through state-led programmes and industry partnerships.