The fishermen associations in the state have sought subsidy from the Centre and state governments to install transponders in all the 2,700-odd mechanized fishing boats in Andhra Pradesh. They ensure security post 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and monitor fishing boats crossing the Indian marine border. The cost of each transponder would be around Rs 13,000. Given the present condition, boat owners would not be able bear the cost. So we have requested the state government to provide 90% subsidy with the help of the Centre, while the boat owners would pay the rest 10%, said Arijili Dasu, executive secretary of District Fishermen’s Youth Welfare Association (DFYWA). The DFYWA, along with a few other fisheries unions in Andhra Pradesh have forwarded the same request to the state government. Such transponders would help track the location of the fishing boats and the crew can exchange information through text messages with the control room on shore and vice versa.