India has proposed measures to combat climate change's adverse effects on fisheries. During a virtual meeting organised by the UN, India suggested a reduction in carbon footprint, integration of the IPCC prediction, and harnessing the carbon sequestration potential of seaweeds
India has proposed addressing the adverse effects of climate change on fisheries during a virtual meeting organised by a UN body. The proposal suggests a substantial reduction in carbon footprint as a significant step towards climate-resilient fisheries.
The inaugural session of the Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management, which is part of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), was attended by officials from various organisations. Dr. J. Balaji, former Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, led the Indian delegation.
During the meeting, according to a recent study, India shared that the CO2 emission per kg of fish caught by its marine fisheries is 17.7 percent less than the global average.
India also suggested that international and regional bodies integrate the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) prediction with macro-indicators such as habitat upheaval, resource stress, and market orientation. This integration would enable member nations to incorporate insights into regulations, adaptations, and integrated managerial strategies dynamically.
India also proposed harnessing the carbon sequestration potential of seaweeds to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The country urged global and regional bodies to schedule capacity-building exercises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in capture fisheries and aquaculture, spatial planning, cross-sectoral planning, adaptive fisheries management, resilience and safety at sea, rehabilitating ecosystems, and strengthening farming structures.
India also suggested that member countries share the best, scalable, and reproducible solutions and that FAO chronicle them for the common benefit of the community of nations.
Apart from CMFRI, officials from the Central Fisheries Department and the Fisheries Survey of India were also part of the Indian delegation. The virtual meeting was attended by members of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), one member organisation, representatives from three specialised agencies of the United Nations, observers from other FAO member nations, and observers from inter-governmental and international non-governmental organisations.
The meeting discussed various issues, including mainstreaming biodiversity in marine fisheries management. The Indian delegation also presented India's statement on this issue.