Blue Economy

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, has taken note of the imminent threat to the Blue Economy posed by climate change, which may affect the livelihoods of fishermen and other coastal communities. In this regard, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in consultation with the coastal State Governments, has identified 100 coastal fishermen villages situated close to the coastline as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV). The activities promoted in the identified coastal fishermen villages under PMMSY are need-based facilities, including development of common facilities like fish drying yards, fish processing centers, fish markets, fishing jetties, ice plants, cold storages, and emergency rescue facilities. The Government is also promoting climate-resilient livelihoods like aquaculture, especially the mariculture of seaweed, food and ornamental fishes, bivalves, etc., through the schemes of the Department of Fisheries, Government of India. Further, for livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers’ families during the fish ban/lean period, and insurance cover to fishers is also provided under the PMMSY scheme. Additionally, the ICAR-Fisheries Research Institutes have been contributing to promoting inland and marine aquaculture activities through ongoing research, technology development, and capacity-building programs with funding support from the Government of India.

The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has not received any assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in this regard. However, to combat marine plastic pollution, particularly from fishing and maritime sectors, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has been actively engaged in the global and regional efforts like Glolitter Partnership Project and Reglitter Project both of which are jointly implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Food, and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO). These projects focus on preventing and reducing Marine Plastic Litter (MPL) from sea-based sources, with an emphasis on addressing abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) and wastes from ships. The Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and NORAD with co-financing from member countries, and is being implemented by the FAO in partnership with regional organizations, viz. Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) in its member countries, including India. The BOBLME Project is promoting the concept of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) that aims to integrate ecological health, social equity, and economic sustainability, ensuring that fisheries management addresses broader ecosystem and community needs. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, hosted the FAO Workshop on Mainstreaming Climate Change into International Fisheries Governance and Strengthening of Fisheries Management Measures in the Indo-Pacific Region, organized by BOBP-IGO and NFDB during 16th -19th October, 2023. Over 15 Regional Fisheries Bodies from the region participated in the event and identified potential areas for collaboration and the capacity development needs in mainstreaming climate change in fisheries management.

SOURCE: pib.gov.in