Introduction-
World Fisheries Day is celebrated globally on November 21st each year. This day is dedicated to recognizing the critical role that fisheries and aquaculture play in providing food, livelihoods, and economic opportunities for millions of people around the world. It also serves as a reminder of the need for responsible and sustainable practices to protect aquatic ecosystems and ensure the well-being of future generations.
Fishing communities celebrate this day through rallies, workshops, public meetings, cultural dramas, exhibitions, and music shows.
Fisher folks in India, where it is widely celebrated, also demonstrate the importance of maintaining the fisheries of the world along with highlighting the problems like overfishing and mechanization.
What are fisheries-
Fisheries are a vital component of global food security. They contribute significantly:
· They are included in the diets of billions of people, especially those in coastal regions and developing countries.
· Fish, being a rich source of protein, essential nutrients, and omega-3 fatty acids, plays a crucial role in combating malnutrition and promoting public health.
· Seafood plays an essential role in feeding the world’s growing population.
· Fish generate a number of commercially valuable by-products.
· Fisheries offer many individuals good opportunities for work and self-employment.
· The fisheries sector is a major contributor to the global economy.
· It provides employment for millions of people, from small-scale fishermen to those involved in processing, marketing, and exporting fish products.
Challenges faced by fisheries-
Despite their importance, fisheries face numerous challenges:
· Overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
· Habitat degradation and climate change
· Resource depletion, overfishing, destructive fishing, siltation, and pollution.
· Socioeconomic issues of poverty in the coastal areas.
· Policy issues including the need for strong fisheries regulation and enforcement.
· Availability of space, epileptic power supply, issue of security, cost of fish feed, bad road network, and source of water.
Suggestive measures-
Sustainable fisheries management practices are necessary which are spread through this day. This includes:
· Enforcing regulations to prevent overfishing
· Implementing responsible aquaculture practices
· Conserving habitats
· Adopting measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
· Engaging local communities in the management of fisheries ensures a bottom-up approach, taking into account the needs and perspectives of those directly affected.
· Advances in fishery science, satellite monitoring, and data analytics may contribute to better understanding fish stocks and ecosystems.
· Technologies such as blockchain should be used to trace the origin of seafood, promoting transparency and combating illegal fishing.
· International agreements and collaborations among nations are critical to address issues such as migratory fish stocks, IUU fishing, and the conservation of biodiversity in shared waters.
How the day is celebrated-
There are many ways with which we can celebrate the day. In the local communitites it is celebrated as:
· Fisher communities observe this day with a hope for a better future for their industry. These communities bring to light one of the most underrated professions through well-organized car marches and bike rallies.
· These functioning processes require proper management, training, and expertise for smooth flow and proper handling of varying internal systems.
· The fisherfolk groups have their own distinguished and unique cultural undertakings within their community. This includes song and dance performances besides drama programmes.
· Government arranges special exhibitions for the well-being of the fishing industry’s traders. Demonstration-led events and music shows also form essential functions of World Fisheries Day.
Conclusion-
World Fisheries Day serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to collaborate in safeguarding our oceans and promoting sustainable fisheries. By recognizing the importance of fisheries in nourishing communities and understanding the need for responsible practices, we can ensure the continued abundance of marine resources for generations to come. Through collective efforts, we can build a future where fisheries thrive, ecosystems flourish, and the benefits of the ocean are equitably shared by all.
References-
Written by-
Aditi Sharma B.SC (H) Chemistry
2nd year
MHV Volunteer
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