Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) celebrated the World Fisheries Day 2024 with the theme India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Small-Scale and Sustainable Fisheries today at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was graced by Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Union Minister, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) and Ministry of Panchayati Raj along with Shri George Kurian, Minister of State, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Minority Affairs, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Panchayati Raj along with several other dignitaries.

Landmark initiatives and projects like 5th Marine Fisheries Census, National Plan of Action on Sharks, India’s endorsement to the Regional Plan of Action on IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated)  Fishing,  the International Maritime Organisation-Food and Agricultural Organisation (IMO-FAO) GloLitter Partnership Project etc. were launched on this occasion.

The event included two technical sessions on important themes. The first being, "South-South and Triangular Cooperation: Food Safety and Security through Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture," which explored bilateral cooperation and strategies for sustainable development in fisheries, including small-scale farming, enhanced livelihoods, and food security. The second session, "Climate Change: Challenges in Fisheries and Way Forward," addressed climate impacts, resilience-building, and mitigation strategies.  

The first technical session focused on five key topics related to bilateral cooperation and sustainable development in fisheries, emphasizing areas such as small-scale farming, alternative livelihoods, and food security. Expert speakers with extensive industry experience shared their insights, providing valuable perspectives to guide policymaking, advance research and development, and inspire innovative solutions in the fisheries and aquaculture sector for sustainable growth.

Dr. Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General, FAO, Rome, delivered an insightful presentation on “Partnerships between India and FAO in Fisheries and Aquaculture through South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC).” The global hunger crisis and FAO's SSTC strategy were highlighted during the session. India's potential as a significant provider of services in SSTC, especially in fisheries and aquaculture, was emphasized, aligning with FAO's Blue Transformation program and India's Blue Revolution initiative.

This was followed by Dr. P. Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, Chennai, address who discussed the critical topic of “Life Below Water—Challenges and Way Forward in Small-Scale Fisheries”. The challenges in defining small-scale fisheries and their declining contribution to total catch were discussed. Key issues like climate change vulnerability, safety concerns, and data scarcity were identified. Solutions proposed included leveraging existing schemes, creating dedicated supply chains, and promoting energy-efficient craft, with an emphasis on a comprehensive approach to fisheries management.

Dr N.P. Sahu, Joint Director of CIFE, Mumbai, provided an in-depth analysis of “Alternative Livelihood Opportunities in Fisheries” highlighting the need for diversification due to challenges like overfishing and climate change. Promising areas like aquaculture, seaweed cultivation, ornamental fish breeding, and recreational fisheries were discussed, along with success stories and the potential of technology in driving transformation. The speech concluded with an emphasis on skill development, technology investment, and community engagement to realize the vision of sustainable development and community empowerment.

Dr Subhodeep Ghosh, ADG (Marine) at ICAR, New Delhi, shared his expert insights on “Sustainable Management of Marine Fisheries.”  The presentation highlighted the dominance of the mechanized sector in Indian marine fisheries, presented zone-wise landing data, and discussed the potential yield. It emphasized the importance of sustainable management practices, with a focus on ecosystem-based approaches, participatory management, and combating illegal fishing.

Dr Nidhi Jain, Senior Officer, Livestock, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, India, concluded the session with her presentation on “Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in Fisheries and Aquaculture.” The sector's economic importance and job creation potential were highlighted, along with its growth and export success. Challenges like overfishing and climate change were acknowledged. The Gates Foundation's initiatives promoting sustainable practices and digital transformation were presented. Emphasis was laid on  the potential of fisheries to address food security through collaboration and innovation.

The second technical session delved into six critical topics, addressing the multifaceted challenges and opportunities posed by climate change and its implications for global fisheries. Dr J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, New Delhi, Began the second technical session with an engaging presentation on “Climate Change and Its Impact on Global Fisheries.” The presentation gave a holistic view on the impact of climate change. Dr J. K. Jena addressed these pressing concerns, emphasizing the need for strategic planning to mitigate the effects of abrupt climatic events. The impacts of climate change on fisheries were explored, highlighting changes in habitat, physiology, growth, and maturation of fish species. The critical importance of promoting pollution-free, sustainable, and economically viable fisheries was also underscored.

This was followed by Mr. Jose Estors Carballo, Fishery Officer at the FAO of the United Nations, Rome, who delivered an insightful discussion on “Smart Fishing Harbours for Sustainable Fisheries Management.” The presentation highlighted global cooperation in knowledge sharing, capacity-building, and strategies to enhance the economic and environmental impact of ports. Examples included nature-based solutions in Cabo Verde and integrated maritime safety in Argentina, showcasing adaptive measures to foster resilience and sustainability in vulnerable coastal communities.

Ms. Kari Synnøve Johansen from The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), Norway, joined virtually to highlight the significance of the “Glolitter Project” in the Indian context. The presentation focused on the global IMO-FAO GloLitter Partnership project, which aims to reduce and prevent marine litter from the fisheries and shipping sectors across 30 countries. Primarily funded by Norway, the initiative emphasizes strategic collaboration between IMO, FAO, and partner nations. The presentation also outlined the project's key components, its significance, and major achievements, particularly in India.

Dr Vinod K., Principal Scientist and Head at CMFRI-Mandapam Centre, Tamil Nadu, presented his work on “Seaweed Production and Expansion: An Instrument towards Carbon Sequestration.” The presentation addressed seaweed production in India, highlighting its potential cultivation areas, farming techniques, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture methods. The discussion emphasized the importance of seaweed for carbon sequestration, showcasing its role as an effective climate mitigation measure.

Dr. Ranjit Suselan, representing MSC India, Chennai, spoke on the critical topic of “Standards, Certification and Traceability: Global Fisheries Management and Trade.” Dr Ranjit Suselan discussed fisheries sustainability labels (ecolabeling), seafood certification, and their significance for consumers. The presentation covered Standards-Certification-Traceability programs in fisheries, emphasizing their importance and benefits. Market insights and an overview of the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) work in this area were also shared.

The session concluded with Mr. Mohammad Aatish Khan, Co-founder and Director of M/s NatureDots, who showcased “AquaNurch Digital Twin: De-risking Fisheries and Building Climate Resilience.”  The session focused on the growing challenges in aquaculture, particularly in pond culture, due to water quality fluctuations, fish diseases, and health risks exacerbated by weather and climate variability. Key issues included unpredictable disease outbreaks, low production, and high input costs. Solutions were highlighted through NatureDots' AquaNurch Digital Twin and mobile application, which help mitigate risks, address water quality issues, improve fish health, and enhance production outcomes for Indian fish farmers.

The discussions fostered collaboration, encouraged innovative solutions, and emphasized the need for integrating sustainability with economic growth. These sessions underscored the importance of collective efforts to overcome sectoral challenges, enhance resilience, and build a more sustainable and thriving future for fisheries and aquaculture worldwide.

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