EXPERTS MEET AT BOBP-IGO TO REVIEW INDIA’S READINESS TO IMPLEMENT ECOSYSTEM APPROACH

 

The BOBP-IGO is carrying out a review of India’s readiness to implement Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries from policy and legal perspective under the BOBLME-II Project. The study is based on an FAO methodology developed under the NANSEN Programme.

 

To review the preliminary findings from the study, an Expert Meet was organized at the BOBP-IGO HQ from 30-31 May 2024. Eminent experts from India, namely, Dr. P Paul Pandian, former Fishery Development Commissioner of India, Dr. Sunil Mohammed, Chair, Sustainable Seafood Network of India; and Prof. S. Amirthalingam from Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU) attended along with Dr, P Krishnan, Director, BOBP-IGO; Dr. E Vivekanandan, Dr. R. Soundararajan, and Mr R Mukherjee, International consultants of the BOBP-IGO and Ms. Sakshi Venkateswaran, the researcher.

 

At the outset, Dr Krishnan explained the background and scope of the study. He said that FAO has published report on EAF preparedness of Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka which were part of the NANSEN programme. The BOBP-IGO is complementing the effort by doing the study in India under the BOBLME-II project. The study will not only help in achieving the objectives of the BOBLME-II project but will also contribute to the completing the regional picture in respect of EAF readiness. This approach is crucial for implementing effective ecosystem-based management strategies in fisheries, aiming to integrate ecological and human dimensions of resource management.

 

The expert group reviewed over 30 policy and legal documents against a set of filtering questions following FAO methodology. The preliminary results indicate that India has sound basis for moving towards EAF. However, streamlining is required in some aspect such as development of fisheries management plan and targeted research. The expert group also observed the complexity in India due to its federal structure and highlighted the need for alignment of inter-state policies and Union-state policies for better implementation of EAFM. The expert group further noted that there is a strong need for a fisheries law for managing waters beyond territorial limits which can address various emerging challenges in fisheries management in India.

FOURTH GLOBAL DIALOGUE OF THE SUSTAINABLE OCEAN INITIATIVE (SOI) INAUGURATED AT SEOUL

 

The 4th SOI Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations (RSOs) and Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs), scheduled for 11 to 14 June 2024 in Seoul, Republic of Korea, was inaugurated today.

 

This meeting was convened by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea.The purpose of this meeting was to advance the work under the SOI Global Dialogue, a key platform that bridged national, regional, and global ocean priorities. Through its first three meetings (2016, 2018, 2022) and various workshops, the SOI Global Dialogue facilitated valuable exchanges among regional organizations, identified opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration on sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity, and outlined the roles of regional organizations in supporting global commitments for fisheries, environment, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

 

The participants included heads of the Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs) and Regional Seas Organizations (RSOs), as well as representatives from the countries of this region. Dr. P. Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, participated in the dialogue.

4th SOI GLOBAL DIALOGUE CONCLUDES AT SEOUL

 

The Regional Fishery Bodies (RFB) and the Regional Seas Organisations (RSO) resolved to work together towards creating wider understanding on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The SOI Global Dialogue with RFBs and RSOs had resource persons from many global organisations including CBD, FAO, DOALOS-UN.

EXPERTS DISCUSSED STRATEGIES FOR LEVERAGING OECMS TO MEET INDIA'S 30X30 CONSERVATION TARGETS

 

A National Workshop on "Advancing India's 30x30 Target through OECMs" was organized by Goa State Biodiversity Board in collaboration with National Biodiversity Authority, Government of India, and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), India, on 26-27 June 2024 in Goa.

 

Dr. P. Krishnan, Director, BOBP-IGO, participated as a panelist in the session and contributed to the deliberations on using fisheries OECMs (Other Effective Conservation Measures) as a promising alternative to meet the national targets on the extent of spatial conservation areas.

 

Mr. Aleixo Sequeira, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Goa, was the Chief Guest.

 

Dr. Vidya Athreya, WCS; Dr. C. Achalender Reddy, NBA; Dr. Ravindra Kumar, GIZ; Dr. Vishaish Uppal, WWF; Dr. Yash Veer Bhatnagar, IUCN; and Mr. Raghu Kumar Kodali, MoEFCC, along with senior officials from across the country, were among the experts who participated in the deliberations.