Batch-99 Fisheries Training Center

Ratnagiri is where we are. It’s right there by the water, which makes sense for what we do here at Batch-99 Fisheries Training Center. Most of us grew up around the docks, watching the boats come in and out every day. We decided to start this place because we saw a lot of younger guys wanting to get into the trade but not knowing where to start with the gear or the safety side of things. It’s not a fancy building, just a spot inside where we keep the nets and the training stuff. Some days it’s quiet, and other days we have a full room of people trying to learn how the local waters work. We spend a lot of time talking about the different types of fish you’ll find around here and what kind of equipment works for each season. It’s a lot of practical stuff, not just sitting around reading books. You get your hands dirty, and you learn how to handle the ropes. We usually start early in the morning, which is the way it goes when you’re dealing with the sea. The weather can be a bit much sometimes, but that’s just part of life in Ratnagiri. We don't have a big front office or anything like that. If you come by, you'll probably see us sorting through some gear or marking down notes for the next group. It’s just how we run things, keeping it simple and local.