The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has highlighted the growing threat posed by climate change to the Blue Economy, which could severely impact the livelihoods of fishermen and coastal communities. To mitigate these risks, the government has identified 100 coastal fishermen villages to be developed into Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
The announcement was made by George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in a written response to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The CRCFV initiative, developed in consultation with coastal state governments, aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishing community by enhancing resilience to climate change. The government’s plan includes the construction of critical infrastructure such as fish drying yards, processing centers, fish markets, fishing jetties, ice plants, cold storage facilities, and emergency rescue operations. Furthermore, the scheme will focus on promoting climate-resilient livelihoods, with a particular emphasis on aquaculture and mariculture. This includes the cultivation of seaweed, ornamental fish, bivalves, and other marine species, ensuring a sustainable future for the fishing community.
In addition, the government has introduced measures to support socio-economically backward traditional fishing families, particularly during fish ban or lean periods. These measures include livelihood and nutritional assistance, as well as insurance coverage for fishermen, all of which are provided under the PMMSY.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Fisheries Research Institutes are also contributing to the development of marine and inland aquaculture, offering ongoing research, technology development, and capacity-building programs. These efforts are supported with funding from the Government of India.
Although the Department of Fisheries has not received direct assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it has been actively involved in international initiatives to tackle marine plastic pollution, especially from the fishing and maritime sectors. The department is participating in global projects like the Glolitter and Reglitter Projects, which are jointly implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and FAO. These projects aim to reduce Marine Plastic Litter (MPL) from sea-based sources, with a focus on abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) and waste from ships.
Another major initiative is the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). This project, co-financed by member countries and implemented by FAO in partnership with regional organizations like the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP-IGO), promotes an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM). The EAFM integrates ecological health, social equity, and economic sustainability, aiming to create a more holistic approach to fisheries management that considers both ecological and community needs.
