Article: World Fisheries Day and Its Importance
World Fisheries Day (WFD) is an annual observance that takes place each year on the 21st of November. The prominence of this event was highlighted in Bhubaneswar, where the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying organized an award ceremony in honor of this day. Notably, Balasore district in Odisha received the award for India’s “Best Marine District”.
Understanding World Fisheries Day
The primary purpose of celebrating WFD is to demonstrate global unity with fisherfolk, fish farmers, and all concerned stakeholders. This initiative sprouted in 1997 during the “World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers” held in New Delhi. Representatives from 18 countries gathered to form the “World Fisheries Forum” and signed a declaration advocating sustainable fishing practices and policies. The occasion serves to draw attention to overfishing, habitat destruction, and other significant threats to the sustainability of marine and inland resources.
Fisheries Sector Overview
Fishing involves the capture of aquatic organisms in marine, coastal, and inland areas. Coupled with aquaculture, marine, and inland fisheries provide food, nutrition, and income to around 820 million people globally through harvesting, processing, marketing, and distribution. For many, it also symbolizes their traditional cultural identity. However, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing presents one of the largest threats to global fishery resources’ sustainability.
Indian Fisheries: At a Glance
In 2019-20, India produced 142 lakh tons, accounting for 8% of the global share of fish production. During this period, the country’s fisheries exports stood at Rs 46,662 crore, constituting about 18% of India’s agricultural exports. India aims to achieve a production target of 22 million metric tonnes by 2024-25. Over the years, the fisheries sector has undergone three major transformations: expansive growth of inland aquaculture, mechanization of capture fisheries, and the successful initiation of brackish water shrimp aquaculture.
Significance of Fisheries in India
India is a leading player in the global fisheries sector, ranking second in fish production through aquaculture and fourth in fish exports. The fisheries sector provides livelihood to over 2.8 crore people in the country. Despite this, the Economic Survey of India for 2019-20 estimated that only 58% of the country’s inland potential has been realized so far.
Challenges in the Fisheries Sector
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that nearly 90% of the world’s marine fish stocks are overfished or depleted beyond biological recovery. Other challenges include harmful plastic waste discharge into water bodies and climatic changes.
Government Initiatives in Improving Fisheries
Several efforts have been made by the government to bolster the Indian fisheries sector. These include the development of fishing harbours, establishment of Seaweed Park and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, and the Palk Bay Scheme. Additional measures include the Marine Fisheries Bill, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), and the formation of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
The Way Forward
There is a need for states to learn from each other and explore growth strategies in the marine sector. Environment-friendly fishing practices are crucial, and more scientific advancements in fishing systems and related operations such as freezing and packaging should be considered.