Lok Sabha Question No. 2237 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-14
Subject: Adoption of Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2237

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14th March, 2023

## Adoption of Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

## 2237. SHRI. SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

Will  the  Minister  of FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING मत्स्य पालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has adopted Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  under  Declaration  for  Sustainable  Fisheries  and Aquaculture for combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING:

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a)  and  (b):  The  Declaration  for  Sustainable  Fisheries  and  Aquaculture  has  been  endorsed  on  01 February 2021 at the thirty-fourth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in the context of the celebration of the Twentyfifth Anniversary of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF). Declaration for Sustainable  Fisheries  and  Aquaculture  has  been  endorsed  with  two  specific  objectives,  (i)  to acknowledge the achievements of the fisheries and aquaculture sector since the endorsement of the Code,  and  (ii)  to  gather  collective  momentum  in  identifying  and  tackling  the  challenges  and opportunities ahead to secure the long-term sustainability of the sector. The Declaration acknowledges the need to take action to  ensure  that  aquatic  food  systems  are  resilient  and  meet growing  demand  for  nutritious,  safe  and  affordable  food  in  a  sustainable  and  equitable  manner. Government of India is making all efforts for sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture both at policy level and through implementation of various schemes and programs.

(c) & (d): The FAO, in its Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture dated 01.02.2021, pressed for stronger action to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Within Indian Exclusive  Economic  Zone  (EEZ),  India  is  addressing  the  IUU  fishing  through  various  fisheries legislations namely, the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981 and Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs)  of  coastal States/Union Territories. With regard to IUU fishing in the high seas (areas beyond national jurisdiction), this has to be combated through Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). India is already a member  of  the  RFMOs,  namely,  Indian  Ocean  Tuna  Commission  (IOTC),  Commission  for  the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), and has recently joined the South Indian  Ocean  Fisheries  Agreement  (SIOFA).  These  RFMOs  co-ordinate  the  regulation  and management of shared fish stocks and also take action against IUU fishing at regional levels and India take active part in its deliberations.

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