Expert seeks review of harmful subsidies in fisheries

Some of the existing subsidies in marine fisheries sector should be reviewed as a primary step to effectively manage marine resources, a senior official of the NITI Aayog said today.
Dr Ashok Jain, Advisor to NITI Aayog, said here that the impacts of various types of subsidies should be analaysed prior to formulating a sustainable marine ecosystem management.
He was speaking at the opening session of a two-day national workshop on inclusive management of marine ecosystems at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute here.
"The subsidies which are leading to overfishing or illegal fishing should be eliminated for the sustainable development of marine fisheries," he said.

Referring to the delay in implementing the latest technologies by the state governments, he said NITI Aayog would send directions regarding this to the states directly.
"India is committed to implementing the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. We have to look into the possibilities of sustainable marine tourism towards achieving the SDG-14, which is related to ocean resources," he said, adding, community participation should be ensured for conserving the mangrove resources.

N Vasudevan, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Maharashtra, said development agenda should be redefined focusing on conservation of ecosystem and livelihood of the community.
Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI, stressed the need for sustainably managing marine resources.

"Globally, the market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at USD 3 trillion per year which is five per cent of global GDP," he said.
The workshop is being jointly organised by the NITI Aayog, CMFRI and the WWF-India with an aim at formulating an action plan in tune with the UN's 'SDG-14.'
The workshop, which concludes tomorrow, will finalise a draft action plan for the utilization of marine resources and achieving the SDG-14 in Indian context.
Representatives of all coastal states and UTs along with stakeholders including officials concerned from the central government ministries, academia and scientists from research institutes, UN bodies and NGOs are participating in the workshop, a release said.