New Delhi : The Government of India, through the Department of Fisheries, has recognized the growing threat climate change poses to the Blue Economy and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), 100 coastal fishing villages have been designated as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) in collaboration with state governments.
The initiative focuses on developing essential infrastructure such as fish drying yards, processing centers, markets, jetties, ice plants, cold storage, and emergency rescue facilities. Additionally, the government is promoting climate-resilient livelihoods, including mariculture of seaweed, ornamental fish, and bivalves, to ensure sustainable income for these climate-resilient fishermen villages. Socio-economically backward traditional fishers also receive livelihood and nutritional support during the fish ban period, along with insurance coverage under PMMSY.
In supporting aquaculture advancements, ICAR-Fisheries Research Institutes are conducting research, technology development, and capacity-building programs with government funding. Although no assistance has been received from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for these efforts, India is actively participating in global initiatives to combat marine plastic pollution. Through projects like the Glolitter and Reglitter Partnership Projects, jointly implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and FAO, efforts are being made to prevent and reduce marine plastic litter, particularly abandoned fishing gear and ship waste.
Furthermore, India is part of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Project, which promotes the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) to balance ecological health, social equity, and economic sustainability. In October 2023, India hosted an FAO workshop focused on mainstreaming climate change into fisheries governance, bringing together 15 regional fisheries bodies to enhance climate resilience strategies.
This information was provided by Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
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