The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute will host a two-day national meet of experts from various areas will finalise the draft action plan for the country as part of developing an integrated approach to ‘blue economy’
Compiled Text: Rochelle D’Souza Photos: Various sources
Aimed at promoting sustainable development and well-being of the future generations, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) will take a lead role in formulating a national-level action plan for the sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems of the country. As per the direction of the NITI Aayog, the premier think-tank of the Government of India, the CMFRI will collaborate with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-India to draft the management strategies for strengthening the resilience to achieve healthy and productive ocean ecosystems.
NITI Aayog, CMFRI and WWF-India will together organise a two-day brainstorming session of eminent marine biologists, environmentalists, technocrats, fisheries experts from across the country and senior officials of fisheries departments from all the maritime states and union territories on July 4th and 5th at CMFRI, Kochi. The draft action plan will be finalised at the end of the meet on July 5.
“The conglomeration of experts from various sectors will identify the ways and means for the protection of ocean wealth in a long-term view at the meet and the draft action plan will be circulated among the stakeholders for feedback”, said Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI. “This will have a composite route map for boosting the contribution of marine and coastal ecosystems to the national and local GDP as an incentive for protection and sustainable management”, he said.
Integrated approach to ‘blue economy’
According to Dr.Gopalakrishnan, the CMFRI’s new step is part of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the UN. “The broad objective of the action plan is to build strong linkages and relevance of the SDG-14, which is related to conservation of oceans, seas and marine resources. The action plan will address its targets particularly on the need to develop an integrated approach to ‘blue economy’ for promoting human well-being and sustainable growth. The action plan will help develop guidance on integrating marine and coastal ecosystem values for poverty alleviation and building climate resilience for the coastal areas” he said.
Empowerment of small-scale fisheries
“The action plan for sustainable marine ecosystem management will identify ways and means to empower the existing small-scale fisheries in the country, to identify various sustainable practices and inclusive models for the protection of marine ecosystem, to end illegal and harmful fishing practices, to prevent marine pollution and to secure livelihoods of fisher communities”, Dr. Gopalakrishnan added.
Prof.(Dr.) Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, Dr Ashok Jain, Advisor to NITI Aayog and Dr SejalWorah, Programme Director of WWF-India will lead the discussions at the meet which will be attended by representatives of all the coastal States and UTs along with stakeholders including the concerned central government ministries, academia, scientists from research institutes, UN bodies and NGOs. Officials from the State Departments such as Fisheries, Forests, Ocean Development, Industry and Coastal Zone Management Authority will attend the meet.