India has designated 100 coastal fishing villages as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages to mitigate the impact of climate change on the country’s blue economy, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said on Tuesday.
The ministry said in a written statement to parliament that the initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana aims to protect the livelihoods of fishermen and coastal communities by enhancing infrastructure and promoting climate-resilient aquaculture practices.
“The activities promoted in these villages will include the development of fish drying yards, processing centers, markets, jetties, ice plants, cold storages, and emergency rescue facilities,” the statement said.
Government Push for Sustainable Aquaculture
India is also promoting sustainable aquaculture, such as the mariculture of seaweed, ornamental fish and bivalves, to support climate-resilient livelihoods.
The ministry added that socio-economically weaker fishing families will receive nutritional and livelihood assistance, along with insurance coverage, during the fishing ban and lean periods.
While the Food and Agriculture Organization has not directly assisted the CRCFV initiative, India is actively participating in global efforts to combat marine plastic pollution.
The country is engaged in projects such as the Glolitter Partnership Project and Reglitter Project, jointly implemented by the FAO and the International Maritime Organization. These projects focus on reducing marine plastic litter, particularly abandoned fishing gear.
India is also part of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and Norway’s NORAD.
The project, implemented by FAO in collaboration with regional organizations, promotes an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management, integrating ecological, social and economic sustainability into fisheries management.
In October 2023, India hosted an FAO-led workshop on integrating climate change considerations into international fisheries governance. Over 15 regional fisheries bodies identified areas for collaboration and capacity development.
