India has put forth a proactive agenda in addressing the climate crisis within the fisheries sector. At the inaugural session of the Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management under the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), India proposed a reduction in the carbon footprint as a crucial step towards climate-resilient fisheries.
The delegation from India, led by J Balaji, former Joint Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, highlighted the country’s commitment to mitigating climate change impacts. The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi presented India’s statement on Climate-Resilient Fisheries at this global forum.
A recent study revealed that India’s marine fisheries boast a 17.7% lower CO2 emission per kilogram of fish caught compared to the global average. Despite falling into the medium to high category of climate change impact by 2050, India emphasized its dedication to addressing environmental challenges.
J Jayasankar, Head of Fishery Resources Assessment, Economics, and Extension Division of CMFRI, delivered the statement, underlining India’s proactiveness in tackling the climate crisis in the fisheries sector. The virtual meeting, conducted from FAO’s headquarters in Rome, witnessed participation from COFI members, specialized UN agencies, and observers from various nations and international organizations.
India’s statement also advocated harnessing the carbon sequestration potential of seaweeds as a pivotal strategy to mitigate climate change impacts. Suggestions included enhancing natural habitats, expanding seaweed culture systems, and strengthening mangrove ecosystems to facilitate improved carbon sequestration.
The country urged global and regional bodies to integrate predictions from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with macro-indicators such as habitat upheaval, resource stress, and market orientation. This integration, India proposed, would empower member nations to incorporate valuable insights into dynamic regulations, adaptations, and integrated managerial strategies.
In addition to climate-resilient fisheries, CMFRI presented India’s stance on Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Marine Fisheries Management. The delegation stressed the importance of interlinking reports on habitat mapping, valuation, fishery assessment, and the stocks of targeted resources, marine mammals, and migratory species to develop comprehensive regional indicators.
India shared that its fishermen are cognizant of biodiversity’s role, evident in the increasing reports of the rescue of entangled marine mammals and sea turtles. The nation called for collective efforts to integrate biodiversity considerations into marine fisheries management practices.