World Fisheries Day 2024, Steps Towards Promoting Small-Scale Fisheries in India

The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying will celebrate World Fisheries Day (WFD) on November 21, 2024. The objective of this day is to honor the role and contributions of fishermen and fish farmers. The day has been celebrated annually on November 21 since 2014. This year’s theme is "India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Small-Scale and Sustainable Fisheries." The event will be held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, and will also recognize progressive states/UTs, individuals, and entrepreneurs for their outstanding contributions to the development of Indian fisheries and aquaculture.

Initiatives to Promote Fisheries and Aquaculture:

1. 5th Marine Fisheries Census: To create data-driven policies.
2. National Plan of Action (NPOA) for Sharks: For sustainable shark management.
3. Bay of Bengal Regional Plan of Action (BoB-RPOA): To curb illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing.
4. IMO-FAO GloLitter Partnership Project: To reduce marine plastic litter.
5. Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for LPG Kits: For energy-efficient and affordable marine fishing.
6. New Single Window System (NSWS) by the Coastal Aquaculture Authority: To facilitate the online registration of coastal aquaculture farms.
7. Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM): To promote carbon-sequestering practices in fisheries and aquaculture.

Technical Sessions at the Event:

Two technical sessions will be held during the event.

1. Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture for Food Security: This session will focus on bilateral cooperation, small-scale farming, livelihood enhancement, and food security.
2. Challenges and the Way Forward in Fisheries: Experts will discuss the impacts of climate change, building resilience, and strategies for solutions.

Development and Contribution of Fisheries in India: India is the second-largest fish producer globally, contributing 8% to global fish production. The fisheries sector is crucial to global food and nutritional security, supporting the livelihoods of around 61.8 million people. Over the past decade, the Indian government has invested ₹38,572 crore through initiatives such as the Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY). As a result, India’s fish production has increased from 9.579 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 17.545 million tonnes in 2022-23.

Significance of World Fisheries Day: This event will bring together all stakeholders in the fisheries sector, promoting research and development, fostering sustainable growth, and raising awareness about the immense potential of India’s fisheries sector. It aims to drive collaboration among industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers, ultimately contributing to the sector’s ongoing growth and sustainability.

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