India's Role in Global Fisheries Conference

Key Points from the 5th World Small-Scale Fisheries Conference

Event Overview:

• Date & Location: April 27-30, 2026, Hua Hin, Thailand.
• Theme: "Promoting Justice, Youth Future, and Regenerative Knowledge for Small-Scale Fisheries."
• Participants: Approximately 300 representatives from 50 countries.

Objectives of the Conference:

• Promote justice and conflict resolution in coastal and marine areas.
• Empower youth in fisheries and marine management.
• Advocate for climate-friendly practices based on traditional knowledge.

India's Position in Fisheries:

• India is the world's second-largest fish producer, contributing 8% to global production with a record output of 19.7 million tons.
• Strong growth in marine food exports driven by modernization, innovation, and sustainable investments.

Key Contributions and Discussions:

• Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi emphasized the socio-economic development, food and nutrition security, and environmental sustainability roles of small-scale fisheries.
• The need for robust governance frameworks that include marginalized groups in the value chain was highlighted.
• Discussions focused on the importance of community-centered and ecosystem-based approaches in fisheries governance.

National Policy Framework:

• India’s National Policy on Small-Scale Fisheries aims to strengthen institutional capacities through cooperative societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs).
• Supported by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the EEZ Rules 2025 to enhance sustainability and livelihoods.

Global Frameworks and Guidelines:

• The FAO's Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (VGSSF) serve as the first global, human rights-based framework for small-scale fisheries.
• Emphasizes food security, safe tenure, gender equality, ecosystem-based management, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience.

Challenges Faced:

• Small-scale fisheries face issues like land tenure insecurity, data deficiency, coastal overcrowding, resource depletion, and climate risks.
• Despite their significance, small-scale fisheries have low representation in regional management organizations like the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).

Economic Contributions:

• Small-scale fisheries provide employment for nearly 90% of the world’s fishers and contribute about 40% of marine and inland fish catches.
• Play a critical role in food security, poverty alleviation, and gender equality, particularly through post-harvest activities involving women.

Domestic and International Support:

• India's commitment to sustainable and inclusive small-scale fisheries is reflected in national plans, with a call for inter-ministerial coordination and stakeholder engagement.
• At the multilateral level, India advocates for livelihood-oriented small-scale fisheries protection within the WTO framework, emphasizing special and differential treatment for developing countries.

Funding and Investment:

• Since 2015, significant investments amounting to ₹39,272 crore have been approved under various schemes aimed at transforming the fisheries sector, including the Blue Revolution and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).

Conclusion

The conference underscored the importance of small-scale fisheries in global food systems and the need for sustainable management practices that support livelihoods, empower communities, and enhance environmental resilience. India’s active participation and leadership in promoting these agendas reflect its commitment to strengthening the fisheries sector both domestically and globally.