National workshop highlights threats to traditional fishing rights and livelihoods
A national workshop hosted by fishing organizations highlighted the threats posed by government policies and corporate encroachment on traditional fishing rights. Representatives from several Indian states called for better welfare schemes and formal documentation to protect their maritime livelihoods.
Why it matters
The event underscores the struggle of small-scale fishing communities to maintain their traditional rights against modern economic and policy pressures.
The Fishing Community Organisations Network (FISHCON) and the Federation of Indian Fisher Organisations (FIFO) jointly hosted a national workshop on government policies and fisher development at the Fishery Survey of India conference hall on Thursday.
Sixty-four representatives from coastal districts across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Odisha, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh attended the event.
FIFO president Vincent Jain criticised the governments for failing to implement welfare schemes for small-scale fishers and demanded fully subsidised safety equipment for all fishing boats.
International marine fisheries expert Venkatesh Salagrama warned that corporate encroachment deprives fishers of traditional coastal and sea rights, and urged communities to secure formal government documentation for their maritime domains.
National Fisherfolk Forum vice-chairman K. Ellayya stated that anti-fisher policies destroy traditional livelihoods.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in