World Fisheries Day is annually celebrated worldwide on November 21st. The theme for the year 2024 is, “India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Small-Scale and Sustainable Fisheries”. The history of World Fisheries Day can be traced back to 1997 when the World Forum on Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers (WFF) met in New Delhi. This gathering of representatives from 18 countries resulted in the establishment of the World Fisheries Forum and the signing of a declaration advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies. The first World Fisheries Day was celebrated on November 21, 2015. Fisheries Sector commenced purely as a traditional activity at the time of India’s Independence. Over the past seventy-five years, the sector has gradually transformed into a commercial enterprise with technological infusion and efficient and intensive farming technologies like biofloc & Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), pen and cage culture. With all these positive interventions, India globally stands 2nd in aquaculture production, top shrimp producing and exporting nation and 3rd largest capture fisheries producer. India contributes around 8% share to the global fish production. Domestic fish consumption is tremendously growing with the current per capita fish consumption of 13.1 Kg and is expected to peg the current global average which is more than 20 Kg per capita. And in last few years, Government of India has stepped up investments in fisheries and aquaculture sector. Schemes like Blue revolution, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) are collectively backing the blue revolution.
“The domain of Nutrition in fisheries sciences holds a key position in revolutionizing the fisheries sector of Jammu & Kashmir and must be given due credit in the state fisheries department as well. As part of the World Fisheries Day, National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad confers awards in different categories.”
The role of Division of Fish Nutrition & Biochemistry, Faculty of Fisheries SKUAST-Kashmir is pivotal as much of the research on different formulations, feed additives, feed supplements, nutraceuticals, medicated feeds etc is being carried out for the larger benefit of fisheries farmers and private entities involved in fisheries sector. The problems faced by trout farmers in the culture conditions are being effectively addressed, considered and taken to a progressive outcome by the Research Scholars and scientific staff. The operational cost of feed is more than 70% and thereby making it a most critical factor in the intensive trout rearing. The private entrepreneurs are much concerned of the feed costs with good feed conversion ratio and in the decision making of final profit that does contain a sizeable fraction. The domain of Nutrition in fisheries sciences holds a key position in revolutionizing the fisheries sector of Jammu & Kashmir and must be given due credit in the state fisheries department as well. As part of the World Fisheries Day, National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad confers awards in different categories like 1. Best performing state/UT – Inland, Marine, Himalayan & North-eastern region, Union territory. 2. Best District – Inland, Marine, Himalayan & North-eastern region, Union territory. 3. Best Enterprise/Entrepreneurs – Best Fish Farmer (Inland & Marine category), Best Fisheries Cooperatives/FFPOs, Best Fisheries Enterprise/Entrepreneur. This global celebration emphasizes the pivotal role played by small-scale fishers in safeguarding food security and livelihoods for millions worldwide. It serves as a reminder to prioritize responsible practices, ensuring the well-being of aquatic ecosystems and supporting the vital contribution of fisheries to the nourishment of communities across the globe.
(The author is PhD Research Scholar, Division of Fish Nutrition & Biochemistry at SKUAST-Kashmir. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Umar Rasool Parry
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