World Fisheries Day is commemorated to draw attention to over fishing, habitat destruction and other serious threats to the sustainability of our inland and marine resources. It is celebrated every year on November 21 throughout the world by the fisher folks. Observance of World Fisheries day can help bring awareness of the importance of aquatic environments in sustaining aquatic living resources. This day is celebrated through workshops, public meetings, cultural programs, rallies, exhibitions and demonstrations to highlight the importance of maintaining the world’s fisheries.
Fish forms an important part of the diets of people around the world, particularly those living near rivers, coastal areas and other water bodies. Fisheries and aquaculture plays an important role in eliminating hunger, promoting health and reducing poverty. Fish is extremely nutritious and is a vital source of protein and essential nutrients, especially for many poorer members of our global community. Thus fisheries and aquaculture sector is a source not just of health alone but also of well being. Employment in the sector has grown faster than the world’s population. The sector provides jobs to tens of millions and supports the livelihoods of hundreds of millions.
Fish continues to be one of the most-traded food commodities worldwide. It is especially important for developing countries. We need to look beyond the economics and ensure that environmental well-being is compatible with human well-being in order to make long-term sustainable prosperity a
reality for all. To this end, promoting responsible and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture is a central theme and purpose. To provide a wider stewardship and improved governance of the sector, FAO is advancing Blue Growth as a coherent framework for sustainable and socioeconomic management of aquatic resources. Blue Growth focuses on capture fisheries, aquaculture, ecosystem services, trade and social protection. In line with FAO’s Reviewed Strategic Framework, the initiative focuses on promoting the sustainable use and conservation of aquatic renewable resources in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible manner.
Small scale fisheries contribute a lot for global poverty alleviation and food security. To strengthen the vulnerable and marginalized communities, there is a need for supporting artisanal and small scale fisheries sector. Global fish production continues to outpace world population growth, and aquaculture remains one of the fastest-growing food producing sectors. World Fisheries Day celebrations serve as an important reminder that we must focus on changing the way the world manages global fisheries to serve sustainable fish stocks and healthy ecosystem.
Realizing the great scope for the development of Fisheries in India, the Prime Minister has called for “a Revolution” in the fisheries sector and has named it as “Blue Revolution”. It visualizes “Creating an enabling environment for an integrated and holistic development and management of fisheries keeping in view the sustainability, bio-security and environmental concerns”. The Blue Revolution, with its multi-dimensional activities, focuses mainly on increasing production from aquaculture and fisheries resources, both inland and marine. The vast fishery resources offer immense opportunities to enhance fish production through aquaculture-system diversification, species diversification, proper management, introduction of new and advanced technologies in both marine and inland sector, adoption of scientific practices and application of suitable fish health management strategies etc.
Therefore, a focussed approach in ushering in Blue Revolution through an integrated development and management of fisheries and aquaculture sector would ensure sustained acceleration and intensification of fish production beyond the projected annual growth rate. Accordingly, a comprehensive proposal in the form of an umbrella scheme for ‘Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries’ covering inland fisheries, aquaculture, marine fisheries including deep sea fishing, mariculture and all activities towards realizing “Blue Revolution” is being prepared and finalized.
The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is celebrating the World Fisheries day on 21st November, 2015 at the NASC Complex, Pusa. The event will be inaugurated by the Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh in the presence of Minister of State for Agriculture, VIPs, senior level Administrators and Scientists and dignitaries. Fisher folks and representatives of fishermen associations/ federations/societies etc from all the States /UTs across the country are invited to take active part in the World Fisheries Day celebration. Officers from the State and Central Fisheries Institutions and Departments of all the States are also invited. As a part of World Fisheries Day celebration events like exhibitions, poster display, release of publications and souvenir, felicitating the fisherfolks etc are also arranged with an aim of highlighting the importance of fisheries in India.
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