Taking note of the imminent threat posed by climate change to the Blue Economy particularly its impact on the livelihoods of fishermen and other coastal communities

The Government of India is implementing science-based adaptation and mitigation strategies in the fisheries as well as animal husbandry sectors to build resilience against climate change, protect vulnerable species and breeds, and safeguard the livelihoods of fishers and livestock farmers.

Taking note of the imminent threat posed by climate change to the Blue Economy particularly its impact on the livelihoods of fishermen and other coastal communities. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), has identified 100 coastal fishermen villages located close to the coastline as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV), in consultation with coastal state governments.

The activities promoted in these villages include need-based facilities aimed at building climate-resilient livelihoods. These include development of common infrastructure such as aquaculture, particularly mariculture of seaweed, food and ornamental fishes, bivalves as well as fish drying yards, fish processing centres, fish markets, fishing jetties, ice plants, cold storages, and emergency rescue facilities.

For livelihood and nutritional support, socio-economically backward active traditional fishers’ families are provided assistance during the fish ban/lean period, along with insurance cover, under the PMMSY scheme.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Fisheries Research Institutes have also been contributing to the promotion of inland and marine aquaculture activities through ongoing research, technology development, and capacity-building programmes, with funding support from the Government of India.