NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
CHENNAI, SEPT 17
India has called for climate justice and greater international support for small-scale fisheries at the FAO–Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) regional meeting, which opened in Chennai on Wednesday.
Inaugurating the three-day meet (September 17–19), Union Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi stressed that countries contributing the least to the climate crisis should not shoulder its heaviest burdens.
“The principles of climate justice must apply. Those who contributed least to the problem should not be asked to pay the greatest price. In India, small-scale fishers are the defenders of local economy, food security, nutrition, and culture,” Mr. Likhi said.
- Union Fisheries Secretary stresses protection of Bay of Bengal’s fishing communities amid climate crisis
- The Chennai meeting brings together senior officials from FAO and BOBP-IGO, policymakers, marine scientists, and fisherfolk representatives from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Maldives
India’s Pitch: Protect Small-Scale Fisheries
The Secretary highlighted that India is among the world’s lowest fisheries subsidizers and one of the most disciplined nations in sustainable resource use. He urged regional cooperation to protect small-scale fisheries, which form the backbone of the Bay of Bengal economy and food security.
“Extreme weather, coastal erosion, and warming seas are already undermining fish stocks and endangering communities. Small-scale fisheries in developing nations face the greatest risks but have the least adaptive capacity without global support,” he added.
India is considering National Plans of Action (NPOA) for both inland and marine small-scale fisheries, with FAO and BOBP-IGO expected to play pivotal roles in shaping and implementing them.
India’s Fisheries Growth
- Fish production reached 195 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, more than doubling since 2013–14.
- The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with an outlay of ₹20,050 crore, has:
- Empowered women in fisheries
- Extended insurance to over 31 lakh fish farmers
- Created modern infrastructure for the sector
FAO and BOBP Perspective
Dr. Lena Maria Westlund, International Fisheries Analyst, FAO, said small-scale fisheries contribute nearly half of Asia’s fish production, employing over 46 million people. The FAO guidelines for NPOAs emphasize:
- Resource management
- Value chain development
- Gender equality and empowerment
- Climate adaptation and disaster resilience
Dr. P. Krishnan, Director, BOBP-IGO, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to helping countries draft country-specific action plans for sustainable small-scale fisheries.
Regional Collaboration
The Chennai meeting brings together senior officials from FAO and BOBP-IGO, policymakers, marine scientists, and fisherfolk representatives from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Maldives. It aims to build climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable fisheries governance in the Bay of Bengal region.
