Background:
The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Act 1987 stipulated that all fishing vessels with mechanical propulsions are required to be manned by duly certified personnel; so also the diversification of fishing and development of deep sea fisheries could be effectively implemented only if adequate trained manpower capable of effectively handling the type and class of vessels are to be readily available to increase marine productivity. In order to achieve this objective, the CIFNET was established in 1963 at Cochin. CIFNET is the only nodal national institute of its kind in the country to meet the training requirements of technical and certificated personnel such as Skippers, Mates, Engineers, Engine Drivers of fishing vessels with mechanised propulsions as stipulated in the M.S. (Amendment ) Act. 1987. CIFNET is also responsible for developing the required technical manpower for the supporting shore establishments and for the effective operation of fishing vessels.

Objectives:

• To create technical manpower for the operation of the ocean going vessels and to run infrastructural establishments to manage fishery establishments and technical teachers for manning fishermen training centres attached to Maritime States and Union Territories.
• To conduct studies on fishing craft, fishing gears and equipments and to provide extensive training to accelerate advancement in fishing technology for enhancing productivity of fishermen and augment national marine fish production.
• To help developing nations in the South-east, Middle-east and Africa regions to create technical manpower for the development of marine fisheries.
• To provide technical consultancy services in all matters with special references to technical manpower requirements

Training Capabilities of CIFNET :
CIFNET has well equipped technical Divisions / Departments in various disciplines for the implementation of the fisheries training programmes. They are

Training section: This section co-ordinates all the training activities conducted at the institute. Selection of candidates by conducting examinations and Interviews, Employment guidance for the ex-trainees and entrepreneurs are done by this section

Nautical Division: This division has well equipped facilities for imparting training in Seamanship, Navigation, Marine Meteorology and Oceanography and is provided with excellent visual aids essential for onshore training.

Marine Engineering Division: The division consists of marine workshop and Craft Technology Section. Marine workshop is well established with machines like lathes, milli mg machines, shaper, welding equipment, drilling machine, black smithy, mini refrigeration plant etc. among other facilities.

Electronic and Computer Applications division: This division is well equipped for training fishery officers on using personal computers for fisheries applications and office automation. The ECDIS(Electronic Chart DISplay) Navigation, Track plotters and GMDSS(Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) communication is taught through the simulation packages.

Fishing Craft Technology Division: The division is well equipped with all necessary infrastructure for the fishing boat construction. Excellent visual aids have been set up in the Division for imparting instructions on the various aspects of fishing craft materials, construction stages etc.

Fishing Gear Technology Division: The division is equipped for the fishing gear design and fabrication and has got well illustrated visual aids for teaching various types of modern fishing techniques.

Operation and Maintenance Section: The fishing vessels based at Cochin, Madras, Vizag centres were operated to impart sea training to the institutional and post institutional trainees.