EXPERTS DISCUSS 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 panellist 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.

BOBP-IGO SIGNS MOU WITH SATHYABAMA UNIVERSITY

 

BOBP-IGO signed an MOU with Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (SIST), Chennai during the inauguration of the National Workshop “Blue Biotechnology” conducted by the Centre for Ocean Research, SIST on 5 July 2024.

 

The inaugural event marked a significant milestone with the dedication of the state-of-the-art National Facility for Coastal and Marine Research established by the SIST to the country by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MOES, Government of India.

 

On behalf of BOBP-IGO, Dr. E. Vivekanandan, International Consultant, BOBLME and Adviser, BOBP-IGO exchanged the MoU with the Chancellor, SIST.

 

The event was graced by distinguished guests including Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MOES, Government of India; Dr. Mariazeena Johnson, Chancellor, SIST; Prof.T. Balasubramanian, Former VC, CARE; Dr. G.A. Ramadass, Former Director, NIOT; Dr. M.V. Ramana Murthy, Director, MoES-NCCR and Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Director, MoES-INCOIS.

 

In his remarks, Dr Vivekanandan mentioned that the MOU formalises the long-time partnership between BOBP and SIST. He said that the National Facility for Marine Research in the multidisciplinary ecosystem of the University was a unique opportunity that could be availed for national and regional research studies including BOBP's BIMReN programme.

REGIONAL FISHERIES BODIES (RFBs) MEET AT ROME 

 

The Tenth Meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariat Network (RSN) was held at FAO Headquarters in Rome from 5-6 July 2024, before the 36th Meeting of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) scheduled for 8-12 July 2024.

 

Dr. Manuel Barange, ADG, FAO, in his opening remarks, called upon the RFBs to rejig their plans to rise up to the dynamic challenges confronting the sector in their respective region.

 

Representing BOBP-IGO, Dr. P. Krishnan, Director, presented the new activities and initiatives of the Organisation to boost regional cooperation for sustainable fisheries in its area of competence. Dr. Krishnan highlighted how the Organisation is adopting and sustaining various international activities in the region including the Bay of Bengal Stock Assessment Network (BOBSAN) for building a better national and regional stock assessment framework and the BIMSTEC-INDIA Marine Research Network (BIMReN) implemented by BOBPIGO towards promoting south-south collaboration in marine research.

 

The participants emphasized the importance of addressing regional issues and called for closer interactions among the Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs) to enhance knowledge and experience sharing.

 

Earlier, the subject matter experts from FAO provided an overview of the global developments in important areas like stock assessment, BBNJ, fisheries subsidies, measures for spatial conservation and combating IUU. The members shared their perspectives on how these developments can be internalized in the activities of the respective RFBs.

DIRECTOR, BOBP SELECTED AS VICE CHAIR OF RSN 

 

Dr. P Krishnan, Director BOBP-IGO was selected as the Vice Chair of Regional Fisheries Bodies Secretariat Network (RSN) during its 10th meeting held in Rome from 5-6 July 2024. The meeting was held at the FAO headquarters prior to the 36th COFI.

 

Dr. Darius Campbell, NEAFC and Dr. Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen, FFA were selected as Co-Chairs.

 

The office bearers will work closely with FAO and other RFBs to promote inter-regional cooperation and take global efforts forward in strategic areas, such as conservation, climate change, and livelihoods.

DELEGATIONS FROM INDIA AND MALDIVES MEET ON THE SIDELINES OF COFI-36

 

The Maldives delegation, comprising Mr. Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, and Dr. Hussain Sinan, Director General (Fisheries), interacted with the Indian delegation led by Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India on 8th July 2034. Dr. B.K. Behera, Chief Executive, NFDB, and Ms. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary, DoF, participated in the interaction. The delegation mutually recognized the strong collaboration between the countries and the active engagements under the aegis of the BOBP-IGO arrangement. They discussed possible areas of strengthening cooperation.

 

Dr. P Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, and representatives from the Indian Mission in Rome attended the meeting.

COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, COFI-36 GETS UNDERWAY AT FAO HQ, ROME

 

The Committee on Fisheries (COFI) is the global intergovernmental forum where FAO Members meet to consider issues related to fisheries and aquaculture. It is a unique body that provides periodic recommendations and policies on global fisheries and aquaculture.

 

The 36th Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI-36) was held at FAO HQ, Rome, from 8-12 July 2024. The Committee focused on the vital role of fisheries and aquaculture in tackling food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty, aa well as stressing their ability to alleviate hunger, drive sustainable growth, and reverse environmental degradation. Also, the main outcomes reached during the previous session of its subcommittees on Aquaculture, Fisheries Management, and Trade were presented.

 

The Director, BOBP-IGO, participated in COFI36 to represent the interests and perspectives of the Bay of Bengal Region. This participation underscores the commitment to strengthening international collaboration and fostering commitments that will benefit the region.

DELEGATION FROM INDIA MEET FAO TEAM IN THE SIDELINES OF
36-COFI

 

A meeting of the Indian delegation with Dr. Manual Barange, ADG (Fisheries) was held on 08 July at FAO headquarters.

 

The Indian delegation consisted of Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, Dr. B.K. Behera, Chief Executive, NFDB and Ms. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary, DoF, Government of India.

 

The potential areas of joint collaborative action between India and FAO were discussed. India appreciated FAO's support, and Dr. Manuel Barange recognized India's key role in realizing the Blue Transformation goals in the region.

 

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, and representatives from the Indian Mission in Rome.

BOBP-RESEARCH INTERN BAGS PRESTIGIOUS FELLOWSHIP

 

Ms. Deepanjana Saha, a Research Intern of BOBP has been selected for the prestigious SAGE PhD Fellows Program 2024 at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bangalore. The fellowship will provide her an opportunity to spend up to seven months in Denmark, for research and training.

Ms. Deepanjana Saha is an M.Sc. (Agricultural Economics) student from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. Her master’s dissertation was on Coastal Ecosystem Services in the Gulf of Mannar, carried out as a research intern at BOBP-IGO. 

BOBP-IGO congratulates Ms. Deepanjana Saha on her significant achievement.