Small-scale fisheries key to food security: Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi

Union Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi on Monday said small-scale fisheries were central to food security, even as he underscored India’s position as the world’s second largest fish producer, with record production of 19.7 million tonnes, attributing the strong growth in seafood exports to modernisation and sustained investments.

Likhi made these remarks at Hua Hin, Thailand, where he is leading a high-level Indian delegation in the 5th world Small-Scale Fisheries Congress. The conference is being organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and TBTI Global around the theme “Small-scale fisheries for advancing just harmony, young futures and regenerative wisdom”.

Speaking at an FAO moderated session on the National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries (NPOA SSF), Likhi said the sector fisheries are central to food security, livelihoods, cultural identity and coastal economies, particularly in the Bay of Bengal region.

He highlighted the diverse and context specific nature of small scale fisheries, underscoring the need for governance frameworks that recognise varied local realities and ensure inclusion of marginalised groups across the value chain.

Small scale fisheries (SSF) form the backbone of global capture fisheries, employing nearly 90% of the world’s fishers and contributing about 40% of marine and inland fish catches, while playing a vital role in food security, nutrition, poverty reduction and gender equality, particularly through women’s participation in post harvest activities.