
Govt invites bids for drone surveillance to curb illegal fishing
The fisheries department has invited tenders for drone-based surveillance and digital data maintenance to curb rising cases of illegal cross-border fishing within Goa's 12-nautical-mile territorial waters.
'The directorate of fisheries is inviting the tender for 'appointment of agency for drone-based surveillance and digital data maintenance' for enforcement of the Goa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980 and Rule 1982, under the department of fisheries, govt of Goa,' the circular states.
In June,
TOI
reported that the fisheries department tested drones on trial for two months to monitor illegal fishing. With the pilot project now complete, the department plans to expand drone surveillance to crack down on fishing using LED lights, bull trawling, and cross-border fishing.
The e-tender notice states that the last date for online requests for tender documents is Aug 18 at 2pm, with bid submissions accepted until 5pm. Technical bids open on Aug 19 at 11am, followed by presentations from eligible bidders at 3pm before a selection committee in Panaji. Financial bids open on Aug 20 at 11am.
The tender document costs Rs 5,000 (non-refundable), with an earnest money deposit (EMD) of Rs 2 lakh, valid for 180 days. Officials said that the tender process can change, and the directorate may extend deadlines, cancel bids or reject proposals without an explanation.
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