Union Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala leads International Round Table Meet at Global Fisheries Conference India 2023
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22 November2023, NewDelhi: An International Round Table Meet led by Union Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala at the Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 has called for cooperation and collaboration between countries for the sustainable growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Partnering with other countries and organizations that have advanced technologies and expertise in fisheries and aquaculture to facilitate the transfer of technology and knowledge would greatly help to enhance the Indian fisheries sector, the meeting suggested.
Speaking at the session, Union Minister Parshottam Rupala said that the GPS system should be made user-friendly to the fishermen, utilizing global expertise and technologies. Cost-effective and reliable technologies are essential for marine navigation to be truly beneficial to fishermen venturing into the sea, the Minister said.
“Global exchange programs in data collection and data sharing can play a major role in improving the fisheries sector, Rupala said. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, these programs can facilitate the adoption of best practices, promote sustainable resource management, and develop effective mitigation strategies in response to climate change. This collective approach can play a pivotal role in safeguarding the livelihoods of traditional fishermen, who are particularly vulnerable to the escalating impacts of climate change.
Global data exchange programs can significantly enhance the quality and availability of fisheries data, providing a comprehensive understanding of fish stocks, migration patterns, and ecosystem dynamics”, the Union Minister said.
In his address, Mr. Dimitrious Ioannou, Ambassador of Greece, underscored the critical need to harmonize fishing and aquaculture practices with environmental sustainability. He advocated for a multifaceted approach that encompasses both domestic and international strategies.
The forum underscored the need for the exchange of adequate technology expertise to tap the unexplored deep-sea resources in India. The country has vast unexplored deep-sea resources and equipping the fishermen and the vessels with adequate technologies and training could utilize these untapped resources, it observed.
The speakers at the Round Table Meet identified four major areas which require international collaboration. They are enhancing fisheries production by targeting food and nutritional security, strengthening aquaculture to combat human hunger, sustainable utilization of the resources in the fisheries sector, and development of deep-sea fishing.
Sanjay Kumar Nishad, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries of Uttar Pradesh emphasized the importance of collective efforts and advanced technologies to boost fish production and secure the livelihoods of fishermen and aqua farmers.
Highlighting the potential for growth in the fisheries sector, Jai Prakash Dalal, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries of Haryana announced plans for an Aqua Park, and he invited investors to participate in this development.
Foreign diplomatic delegations expressed their keen interest in fostering collaboration with India in several key areas, including research, data collection, resource monitoring, and technology backstopping.
Discussions on expanding market access for Indian fishery products, and collaborating with research institutions, universities, and international organizations to conduct research on sustainable fishing practices, aquaculture technologies, and resource management were also held during the session.
