MARINE
FISHERIES CENSUS: ECONOMY
NEWS: Centre
launches Marine Fisheries census, to be completed in 45 days
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS?
The Centre launched the Marine Fisheries Census 2025
to digitally collect socio-economic and fisheries data from 1.2 million
households along India's coastline in 45 days. Additional initiatives include a
shark conservation plan, combating IUU fishing, and promoting eco-friendly
marine practices.
Marine
Fisheries Census 2025:
Launch
and Purpose
- Initiated on World Fisheries
Day (November 21, 2024): Aimed at transforming the fisheries sector
and bolstering India's blue economy.
- Objective: Collect comprehensive data
on fisher households, socio-economic conditions, and fisheries engagement
across India's coastline.
- Execution Timeline: Planned to be completed in 45
days using 3,500 staff.
Digital
Transition
- Fully Digital Process: Utilizes mobile apps and
virtual servers for real-time data collection and processing.
- Efficiency: Makes the process 80%
faster than previous censuses.
Scope
and Coverage
- Covers 1.2 million
households across coastal India, from Lakhpat, Gujarat to North
24 Parganas, West Bengal, and includes islands like Bitra
(Lakshadweep) and Campbell Bay (Andaman & Nicobar).
- Focus on collecting data on:
- Household sizes.
- Socio-economic status.
- Fisherfolk engagement.
Additional
Initiatives Launched
National
Plan of Action on Sharks
·
Objective:
Sustainable shark management based on the International Plan of Action for
Sharks (1999) by the FAO.
·
Key Features:
·
Enhanced
data collection.
·
Resource
allocation.
·
Habitat
mapping and conservation.
·
Training
in species identification.
·
Integration
of traditional knowledge of fishermen.
Regional
Plan of Action on IUU Fishing
- Partnership: Joint efforts with Sri
Lanka, Bangladesh, and Maldives to curb Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Bay of Bengal region.
Marine
Plastic Litter Management
- GloLitter Partnership
Project:
Collaboration between the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
and FAO to combat marine plastic pollution.
Energy-Efficient
Marine Fishing
- Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs): Promote retrofitted LPG kits for low-cost,
energy-efficient marine fishing fuels.
Coastal
Aquaculture Digitalization
- New Single Window System: Online registration for
coastal aquaculture farms launched by the Coastal Aquaculture Authority.
Carbon
Sequestration in Fisheries
- MoU Exchange: Framework for Voluntary
Carbon Market to leverage carbon-sequestering practices in the fisheries
sector.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-launches-marine-fisheries-census-to-be-completed-in-45-days/article68894830.ece