World Fisheries Day is annually observed across the globe on 21st November to demonstrate solidarity with the members of the fisher community, fish farmers and concerned stakeholders across the world.
- The day highlights the serious threats to the sustainability of our marine and freshwater resources such as overfishing, habitat destruction and other.
- The day aims to change the management of global fisheries across the globe to ensure sustainable stocks and a healthy ecosystem.
Background:
i.World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers came together on 21st November 1997 to unify fishermen and women across the globe.
ii.On the same day, the World Fisheries Forum (WFF) was established and 18 countries signed a declaration advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies.
- To commemorate this day, the 21st November of every year is observed as World Fisheries Day.
iii.Since 1998, the 21st November is celebrated as World Fisheries Day.
2022 Events in India:
On the occasion of World Fisheries Day 2022, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India(GoI) and the National Fisheries Development Board organised an event at Swami Vivekanand Auditorium, Dunetha, Daman, in the Union Territory (UT) of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
- The Government presented the awards in Fisheries Sector to felicitate and honor fish farmers and fishers who contributed to the growth of the fisheries sector by adoption of improved technologies and practices in aquaculture and fisheries activities.
- The event aims to create awawarness about the importance of healthy ocean ecosystems and sustainable fisheries.
Winners of the Awards in Fisheries Sector:
| Category | Inland | Marine | Hilly and North Eastern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best State | Chhattisgarh | Karnataka | Himachal Pradesh |
| Best QuasiGovernment organization/ Federation /Corporation/Board | MP Fisheries Federation, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | Kerala State cooperative Federation for Fisheries Developemnt Limtied, Kerala (MATSYAFED) | Assam apex cooperative fish marketing & Processing Federation limited, Assam (FISHFED) |
| Best District | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu | SPSR Nellore, Andhra Pradesh | Udalguri, Assam |
Highlights of the 2022 event:
i.Video Song on Sagar Parikrama – Gujarati Version, SSS: India @ 75 – “100 Super Success Stories from Indian Fisheries” was launched during the event.
ii.As a part of the event, an exhibition was organised to offer exposure on transferring various technologies developed by institutes/government organisations/ private sector.
iii.Released 5 books brought out by CIFNET, NFDB and Department of Fisheries such as Handbook on Fisheries Statistic-2022, Super Success Stories (English and Hindi), Communication and Navigational Equipment on board fishing vessel, Defect rectification and maintenance of boat engine, Capacity building on monofilament long line fishing and handling of tuna on boards and posters on seaweed, Wealth from waste and value addition in English, Hindi and Gujarati.
iv.The Awardees are felicated with cash awards ranging from Rs. 1 to 10 lakhs, momento, certificate and a citation. Nine awards were felicitated to Government and Quasi-Government sector and 19 to private farmer/society/enterprises wherein the awardees shared their experience.
Note* Indian Fisheries: NeeliKranti to ArthKranti 2021-2022 India has become the 2nd largest fish producer and the 4th largest exporter of fish and fisheries products taking Brand India from #LocalToGlobal
Blue Revolution:
i.Blue Revolution also called as Neel or Nili Kranti Mission in India was launched in 1985-1990 during the 7th Five-Year Plan
ii.The Blue Revolution focus on increasing fisheries production and productivity from aquaculture and fisheries resources, both inland and marine.
iii.The main objective of the blue revolution is to develop, manage, and promote fisheries to double the farmers’ income.
About the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying:
Union Minister– Parshottam Rupala(Rajya Sabha- Gujarat)
Minister of State– Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan; Dr L. Murugan
