Chennai, 17 September (IANS) India on Wednesday called climate justice and maximum regional cooperation to protect fisheries on a small scale, stating that countries that contribute minimally to the climate crisis should not be the burden of its heaviest costs.
In his address in the inaugural session of a three -day regional meeting on small -scale fisheries governance, Union Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksha Samani said that India is one of the least subsidies in the world and the most disciplined is the most disciplined in exploiting marine resources.
The meeting conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Bengal Program’s Gulf’s Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP -IGO) runs in Chennai from 17 September to 19 September.
“Climate justice the principles should be implemented. People who contributed the least to the problem should not be asked to pay the biggest price. In India, the fisheries sector is operated by small -scale fishermen who are the protector of local economy, food security, nutrition and culture,” said that “said.
The capacity-making meeting tries to guide the Gulf of the Bengal countries in creating NPOAS for small-scale fisheries. Lihi insisted that extreme weather, coastal erosion, and warming sea were already reducing fish shares and threatening weak fishing communities.
“The poorest fishermen lack the ability to adapt without international support,” he said, urging regional coordination on early warning systems, climate adaptation and joint research.
India, he said, FAO and Bob-IGO are preparing their own NPOA for inland and maritime fisheries, which aims to ensure inclusive and climate-flexible development.
Citing India’s progress, Lucky said that the production of fish had exceeded a decade to reach 195 million tonnes in 2024–25.
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with a outlay of Rs 20,050 crore, has strengthened women, increased insurance to 31 lakh fish farmers, and manufactured modern infrastructure.
FAO’s International Fisheries Analyst, Dr. Leena Maria Westlund underlined that small -scale fisheries contribute to about half of the fish production of Asia and employ over 46 million people.
He said that FAO’s guidelines focus on resource management, gender equality, price chain and climate flexibility.
Director of BOBP-Aigo, Dr. P. Krishnan confirmed the organization’s commitment to help the member countries designing country-specific action plans. This meeting is being attended by officials of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives, scientists and representatives of fishermen.
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SG/VD