In news– World Fisheries Day was observed on 21st November 2021.
About World Fisheries Day-
- The main purpose behind this day is to highlight the importance of sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world.
- It recognises the contributions of millions of fisher folks, fish farmers, and people involved with the fishery trade across the globe.
- It also focuses on other related factors such as the necessity of healthy oceans, balance in ecosystem and surroundings.
- In 2020, the theme focused on ‘Social Responsibility in the fisheries value chain’.
- In 1997, the World Fisheries Forum (WFF) was established as a forum for the World Fisheries Consortium.
- A global consensus document that indicated standardisation of fishing operations was signed by 18 countries.
- The first World Fisheries Day was celebrated on November 21, 2015, during the opening of the International Fishermen’s organisation in New Delhi.
Awards given during the event-
- Balasore, Odisha was awarded as the Best Marine District in the country.
- Andhra Pradesh was awarded the Best Marine State while Best Inland State Award was given to Telangana.
- Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh received the Best Inland District award.
- Best Hilly and Northeastern State and District awards were taken away by Tripura and Bongaigaon, Assam respectively.
World Fisheries Forum (WFF)-
- The World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish workers (WFF) is an international non-governmental organization that works towards the establishment and upholding of fundamental human rights, social justice and culture of fish harvesters and fish workers.
- It was founded in Quebec, Canada in 1995.
- The WFF currently represents 48 national organizations of traditional small-scale fishing communities in 42 nations, whose livelihoods depend directly on the sustainable management of fisheries resources.
- It acts as a world body representing the concerns of traditional fishing communities whose survival is directly threatened by the reduction of the role of governments in regulating fisheries.
Source: PIB
