Research needs

Improved management of fisheries is critical. The condition of open access in marine and inland capture fisheries is the major reason for depletion, economic waste and conflict among user groups. Without adequate control over access, these consequences will become increasingly severe. Research is fundamental for the formulation of management practices suitable for the specific situation. With regard to the further expansion of aquaculture, the critical constraint is the lack of effective and equitable leasing policies and arrangements.

The rise in the real prices of fish products due to scarcity of supplies has important implications for low-income consumers as well as for fisheries management. This calls for research on national food policies including policies with regard to exports and subsidies for export commodities.

The social and economic consequences of alternate policies need to be examined.

Identification of areas of international cooperation

After analyzing constraints, gaps and implementation hurdles the following areas have been identified as potential areas for interventions of international agencies.

Lack of appropriate marine fishing policies at the State / Union Territory

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level is affecting fisheries management.

The support of international agencies will be useful for preparation of a single comprehensive legislation on marine fisheries addressing the complexity of these different mandates of different legislation.

The coastal fisheries area is characterized by excess fishing fleet capacity, over-exploitation of coastal fishery resources, unregulated open access whereas deep sea fisheries resources are

underexploited. Therefore, Government of India laid emphasis on exploitation of deep sea fishery resources. FAO can assist the Indian government in formulation of appropriate deep sea fishing policies and operation.

Government of India is considering introduction of open sea aquaculture known as mariculture for enhancing fish production from the marine sector.

In light of global experience, the international organizations can provide assistance for setting pilot projects and formulation of policy based on good practices of countries adopting mariculture.

The coastal fisher is challenged by loss of livelihood due to over-capacity, over-exploitation, un-regulated fishing, ineffective regulatory measures and declaration of wild life sanctuary, closing seasons etc. They are forced to migrate for livelihoods. At present there is no programme for access to alternative livelihoods for fishers. In order to arrest such situations in Bangladesh, UNDP has funded the project ‘Empowerment of Coastal Fishing Communities for Livelihood Security’. Scope exists for formulation of such a project for India with support from international funding agencies.

Market channels, particularly for small scale fishers, are inefficient. The domestic fish market chain is characterized by unhygienic conditions. The smaller fishers are unable to gain access to the new developments in market channels such as mega-stores in some larger cities, and preparation and marketing of value added products. International agencies

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can assist in product development and for enabling small fishers to improve market channels and for access to emerging market opportunities.

Inland fishery is incurring considerable economic losses due to poor

management of river, wetland, reservoir and canals resources. There is need for technical assistance in management of these resources on eco-friendly and sustainable manner.

Freshwater aquaculture made spectacular impact and raised fish production

significantly with a manifold growth rate.

There is vast scope for diversification of aquaculture activities by integrating with agriculture, horticulture, livestock.

The international agencies can assist in expanding these activities by using their experience of best practices from other countries, i.e. China and Vietnam etc.

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There is need in brackish water

aquaculture for diversification of shrimp species, culture of fin fishes and disease control etc. which needs to be addressed by international organizations for

providing technical support.

The fishing community has poor access to social safety, such as, housing, electricity, civic facilities and health support,

insurance for life and fishing assets etc. The social safety nets need to be addressed in collaboration with international and national agencies and donors. A further need is felt for assisting pilot projects for guiding fishing assets insurance.

There is a need to conduct research on open access fisheries, economic and social aspects of freshwater and brackish water aquaculture including inland fisheries.

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5. Complementary inputs from international agencies

Key development strategies The fisheries development strategy of the Government includes enhancing fish production and productivity, generating employment, improving socio-economic conditions of fishers, increasing marine products for export, and increasing per capita availability of fish to about 11 kg per year. These objectives are to be achieved through well-defined development strategy of the Indian Government ² such as (i) ensuring adoption of responsible and sustainable fishery practices, (ii) enhancing fish productivity in all cultivable waters, (iii) establishing agro-aqua farms, aqua-shops and fishery estates, (iv) spreading fish quality literacy among fisheries and aqua-farmers, (v) improving infrastructure facilities,

(vi) introducing aquarium reforms, with regard to leasing and management of waters, ownership and community management, and (vii) training in different aspects of fisheries and aquaculture.

Strategy for complementary inputs International organizations have responsibility for development of field programmes in India.

Accordingly they will provide assistance to the activities identified in the NMTPF.

prioritystrategy

After analyzing various development programmes in implementation, potential, constraints and prospects the following thematic priorities over the NMTPF cycle 2009-12 have been proposed.

To formulate policies and undertake activities to enhance growth of individual fisher so as to allow for growth in rural incomes and poverty alleviation.

Management of natural resources with an emphasis on sustainability and prevention of disaster.

Improve governance and regulation of the sector for achieving development goals.

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In addition, the NMTPF strategy for field programme development and resource mobilization should consist of the following operational priorities.

Building more effective partnerships with major development partners under the leadership of the UN through joint programmes.

Strengthening working relations with government institutions through capacity building activities.

Priority programmes to complement current efforts

Taking into account the above NMTPF strategy the following activities are proposed to complement existing efforts to develop the fisheries sector.

To support preparation of comprehensive legislation on marine fisheries.

To assist in formulation of deep sea fishing policies and operation.

To support formulation and funding of the project ‘Empowerment of Coastal Fishing Communities for Livelihood Security’ ³.

To assist in setting up of pilot projects for mariculture and preparation of policy document for promoting open sea mariculture.

To study fish market value chain, assist in product development and enable small fishers to improve market channels for access to emerging market opportunities.

To provide technical assistance in

effective management of inland fisheries resources, i.e. rivers, canals, reservoirs and wetlands.

Diversification of aquaculture activities by integrating with agriculture, horticulture and livestock. International agencies can assist in expanding these activities by using experience of best practices from other countries.

To assist in improving credit and

insurance support for various investments in the fisheries sector.

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To assist in addressing issues of women in fisheries by identifying key constraints and providing necessary support for development of women in fisheries.

The coastal fisher is affected due to climate change. Therefore, projects

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should be formulated for funding climate change projects.

The priority programmes / activities identified under the NMTPF need technical and financial support from various international agencies and donors.

Acknowledgements

I express my thanks to Dr Gavin Lindsay Wall, FAOR India & Bhutan, for initiating participatory exercise of preparation of National Medium Term Priority Framework for India and assigning the task of the fisheries sector report to me. My thanks to Dr Gopi N Ghosh and Mr Raj Ganguly for continuous support in the process of report preparation. I gratefully acknowledge the support of Mr Vijay Sardana, for providing report framework and guidance.

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1. Government of India. 2006. Hand book on Fisheries Statistics. Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi.

2. Government of India. 2006. Report of the Working Group on Fisheries for the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012), Planning Commission, December 2006.

3. FAO.2001. Technical Progress Report - July-December, 2001. Project Empowerment of Coastal Fishing Communities for Livelihood Security in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh.

4. World Bank Technical Paper Number 147. Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Capabilities