World Fisheries Day is celebrated across the world on 21 November annually. 

• It began in 1997 during the formation of the World Fisheries Forum in New Delhi, where representatives from 18 countries signed a declaration promoting sustainable fishing practices.

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Awards for best performance in Fisheries

• As part of the World Fisheries Day 2024, National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad confers awards in three categories as follows.
  • Best performing State/UT – Inland, Marine, Himalayan & North-eastern region, Union Territory
  • Best district – Inland, Marine, Himalayan & North-eastern region, Union Territory
  • Best Enterprise/Entrepreneurs – Best Fish Farmer shortlisted throughout the Country (Inland & Marine Category), Best Fisheries Cooperatives / FFPOs, Best Fisheries Enterprises/Entrepreneur.

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World Fisheries Day 2024

• Theme: India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Small-Scale and Sustainable Fisheries
• Initiatives Launched
  • 5th Marine Fisheries Census: It is a comprehensive data for evidence-based policymaking.
  • National Plan of Action (NPOA) on Sharks:  It aims to conserve shark species  and prevent their  overexploitation.
  • Bay of Bengal-Regional Plan of Action (BoB-RPOA): It tackles illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing

• • IMO-FAO GloLitter Partnership Project: It  addresses marine plastic pollution and promotes cleaner oceans.
  • Retrofitted LPG Kits: It introduced fishing vessels for promoting eco-friendly practices.
  • Single Window System for Coastal Aquaculture: It Streamlined online registration for aquaculture farms.
  • Voluntary Carbon Market Framework: It  encourages carbon trading in the fisheries sector and incentivizes sustainable practices.

India’s Global Leadership in Fisheries

Achievements of India 

• India is the 3rd largest fish producer globally, after China & Indonesia (According to FAO, 2021).
• 2nd largest aquaculture producer.
• Largest shrimp producer in the world.

Associated Government Schemes and Policies

• Blue Revolution Integrated Development and Management Fisheries Scheme (2015-16): It  Increased marine and inland fish productivity.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY, 2020): It aims to double fisheries exports to ₹1 lakh crore by 2024-25 
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF, 2018-19) : It  Provides financial assistance and supports fisheries in infrastructure projects.
  • Further, It provides up to 80% project cost funding with 3% interest subvention.
• ICAR-CIFE: It trains fisheries professionals and focuses on research and capacity building.

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Promoting Sustainable Fisheries

• National Policy on Marine Fisheries (2017): It gives a framework for sustainability through balanced exploitation.
• Prohibition of Destructive Practices: It bans practices like pair trawling and LED fishing.
• Sea Ranching and Artificial Reefs: It  Enhances marine biodiversity and Supports sustainable fishing practices.
• Funding:  ₹2,584.50 crore for FY 2024-25  which is a 15% increase from the previous year.
• National Fisheries Development Board: It was established in 2006 as an autonomous organisation under MoFAH&D.

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