Puducherry, Sept 1

Union Fisheries Secretary Dr Abhilash Likhi on Tuesday launched the development phase of India’s National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF), advancing efforts to strengthen the livelihoods, safety and rights of millions of fishers.

The launch took place at the conclusion of a two-day national workshop in Puducherry. Prepared in accordance with guidelines issued by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the plan is expected to provide a coordinated framework for addressing challenges confronting India’s small-scale fishing communities.

A draft of the national action plan will be released on World Fisheries Day on November 21.

India has completed the initial stage of the exercise, which involved profiling marine small-scale fisheries, mapping stakeholders and identifying shortcomings in laws, policies and governance. The development phase will determine priorities, funding needs, institutional responsibilities and implementation arrangements. Monitoring and evaluation will begin after the plan is finalised.

Likhi said India’s marine fisheries sector was highly diverse and predominantly small-scale. The action plan, he said, should improve livelihoods, ensure safer working conditions, protect access to fishing resources and build the resilience of coastal communities.

An assessment supported by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) found major gaps in data on fishers and women workers, social protection, safety at sea, market access and community participation in resource management.

Climate change emerged as another serious concern, with fishing communities reporting altered fishing seasons, declining or shifting fish availability, erratic monsoons and more intense storms.

Consultations also highlighted accidents at sea, loss of vessels and the largely unrecognised contribution of women engaged in fish drying, curing, vending and net-making.

State-level consultations involving fisher organisations, government departments, researchers and civil society groups will now be conducted. BOBP-IGO will prepare operational guidelines for the process.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Union Fisheries Department, BOBP-IGO and FAO.