- State-of-the-Art Surveillance Technology to Safeguard Maharashtra’s Marine Resources
Mumbai, India – 9th January, 2025: ideaForge Technology Limited, a global leader in drone technology, joined hands with Schnell Drone Technologies Limited, for a groundbreaking project initiated by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra. This landmark initiative was officially launched on January 9th in Mumbai, graced by the esteemed presence of Hon. Shri Nitesh Rane, Cabinet Minister of Fisheries & Ports Development, Government of Maharashtra, at the Commissioner of Fisheries office. This is a great initiative to curtail IUU (Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated) fishing in the State Territorial Waters.
The event marked the inauguration of a state-of-the-art drone-based monitoring and digital data maintenance system, designed to effectively implement the Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2021. This pioneering initiative not only underscores the use of advanced drone technology for fisheries surveillance but also represents the first such deployment in India, setting a new benchmark in marine resource management and regulatory enforcement.
Spanning a coastline of 720 kilometers, this project deploys drones across seven key coastal districts of Maharashtra, including Palghar, Thane, Mumbai Suburban, Mumbai City, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. As part of the agreement, ideaForge’s SWITCH UAVs are being deployed to ensure compliance with maritime regulations, protect marine ecosystems, and enable real-time monitoring of fishing vessels and detection of illegal activities. The project is set to run for an initial duration of 8 years.
Bhushan Khomane, Founder and Managing Director, Schnell Drone Technologies expressing his thoughts on this partnership said that, “This is the first-of-its-kind project in India being executed by Schnell Drone Technologies Ltd. in the State Territorial Waters wherein some unique features of ideaForge products are creating huge impact. Live streaming of the drone feed is being shared with multiple Government agencies such as Coast Guard, Coastal Police & Indian Navy, working in the same maritime region. It has added another dimension to the Coastal security of the region.”
This initiative aligns with India’s broader vision of leveraging technology for sustainable fisheries management. Drones are now pivotal in managing aquaculture farms, assessing fisheries infrastructure, and enhancing disaster response efforts. These efforts resonate with the Union government’s mission to create 100 climate-resilient coastal fishermen villages, reflecting the integral role of technology in building resilient communities.
“The drone monitoring project aims to effectively enforce the Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2021, safeguarding the interests of the traditional fishing community while preventing illegal fishing by migrant fishermen,” said Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane. “Manual inspections by patrol vessels are often challenging, as unauthorized boats can evade capture. Drones will address this by enabling faster, more efficient patrolling, collecting real-time evidence, and covering multiple areas simultaneously. This will streamline the identification of unauthorized fishing activities and facilitate strict action under maritime law. Additionally, in coordination with the Coastal Police Department, drones will enhance coastal monitoring and strengthen maritime security across the state.”
Vishal Saxena, VP Business Development, ideaForge Technology Limited, also commented on the collaboration, stating, “We are proud to lead this groundbreaking initiative, which highlights the transformative potential of indigenous drone technology in addressing critical challenges in fisheries management. This partnership not only showcases the power of innovation to enable sustainable practices but also ensures accountability while safeguarding our vital marine resources. Looking ahead, as the Department of Fisheries expands its focus to include coastline mapping, we are excited about the pivotal role our advanced UAVs will play in enhancing surveillance capabilities and supporting this forward-thinking vision.”
This collaboration reaffirms the company’s leadership in India’s drone ecosystem and its commitment to driving innovation across diverse industries.
