Some of the existing subsidies in the marine fisheries sector should be reviewed as a primary step towards the management of marine resources, said Ashok Jain, Advisor to NITI Aayog, here on Tuesday.
Addressing the opening session of a two-day national workshop on inclusive management of marine ecosystems at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), he said the impact of various types of subsidies should be analysed prior to formulating a sustainable marine ecosystem management.
A release issued here quoted him as stating that “subsidies which are leading to overfishing or illegal fishing should be eliminated for the sustainable development of marine fisheries”.
Referring to the delay in implementing the latest technologies by the State governments, he said NITI Aayog would send directions to the States.
“India is committed to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the United Nations. We have to look into the possibilities of sustainable marine tourism towards achieving the SDG-14, which is related to the ocean resources,” he said, adding that community participation should be ensured for conserving mangrove resources.
N. Vasudevan, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Maharashtra said development agenda should be redefined focusing on the conservation of the ecosystem and the livelihood of the community. CMFRI Director A. Gopalakrishnan spoke about the need for sustainably managing marine resources. “Globally, the market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at $3 trillion per year which is 5% of global GDP,” he said.
