India moves to development phase of national action plan for inland small-scale fisheries

India entered the development phase of a National Plan of Action for small-scale inland fisheries to improve livelihoods and freshwater management. The plan, led by the Department of Fisheries, targets 30 million tonnes of fish production in the next five years and Rs 1.25 lakh crore in seafood exports.

• Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, launched the development phase in Bhopal.
• The plan is developed under the UN Food and Agriculture Organization framework and led by the Department of Fisheries with BOBP-IGO.
• A two-day national workshop in Bhopal identified priorities, including consultations with fishing communities.
• The plan covers fisheries in rivers, canals, reservoirs, lakes, floodplain wetlands, tanks, and cold-water systems.
• It will be finalized through stakeholder consultations before a public launch next month.
• Dr P Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, stated the plan will address fishing rights, resource management, and climate change.