Context: Recently, the Department of Fisheries under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, is celebrating the ‘World Fisheries Day’ on 21st November 2020 .
Key Points

• On the occasion of the World Fisheries Day, for the first time in the Fisheries Sector, the Government of India will award best performing States.

The awardees are:

• Odisha (marine states category)
• Uttar Pradesh (inland states category)
• Assam (hilly and NE states category)

Besides, the government will also award the best performing fisheries enterprise, cooperative society, individual entrepreneur, etc. for their achievements and contribution to the growth of this sector.
About World Fisheries Day

• World Fisheries Day is celebrated on 21st November every year to demonstrate solidarity with all fisherfolk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholders throughout the world.
• It started in 1997 where the “World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers” met at New Delhi leading to the formation of the World Fisheries Forum with representatives from 18 countries and signed a declaration advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies.
• The event aims to draw attention to overfishing, habitat destruction and other serious threats to the sustainability of our marine and inland resources.
• The celebrations serve to focus on changing the way the world manages global fisheries to ensure sustainable stocks and healthy ecosystems.

Importance of Fisheries for India

• India is the second major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world.
• India is the 4th largest exporter of fish in the world as it contributes 7.7% to the global fish production.
• Fish constituted about 10% of total exports from India and almost 20% of agriculture exports in 2017-18.
• The fisheries and aquaculture production contribute around 1% to India’s GDP and over 5% to the agricultural GDP.
• Around 28 million people are employed in the fisheries sector in India.
• The sector has immense potential to more than double the fishers and fish farmers’ incomes, as envisioned by the government.

Challenges for Fisheries sector

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) points out that nearly 90% of the global marine fish stocks have either been fully exploited or overfished or depleted to the extent that recovery may not be biologically possible.
• Discharge of harmful substances like plastics and other waste into water bodies that cause devastating consequences for aquatic life.

Steps taken by government of India to improve fisheries sector

• Blue revolution: The Indian government is in the forefront in transforming the sector and to usher in economic revolution through Blue Revolution in the country.
• The Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Blue Revolution” was launched in December, 2015.
• It had made vital contributions towards the development of the sector. The Fisheries sector has contributed about 1.24% to the national GVA and about 7.28% of the agricultural GVA in 2018-19.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
Recently Indian PM launched the “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana '' (PMMSY) at an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crores for a period of five years, i.e., from 2020-21 to 2024-25. 
Objective

• To achieve fish production to 22 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2024-25 
• Also to create an additional employment opportunity to about 55 lakh people. 

Components: The new scheme provides thrust for infusing new and emerging technologies in fisheries and aquaculture to 

• Enhance production and productivity, 
• Welfare of fishers and fish farmers, 
• Creating a conducive environment for private sector participation, 
• Development of entrepreneurship, 
• Promotion of ease of doing business, 
• Innovations and innovative project activities including start-ups, incubators etc. 

Other initiatives

• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) which  was started in 2018-19.
• It will also cater to creation of fisheries infrastructure facilities both in marine and inland fisheries sectors to augment the fish production in the country.
• Besides, the Indian government has also extended the facilities of Kissan Credit Cards (KCC) to fishers and fish farmers to help them in meeting their working capital needs.

Also Read: https://abhipedia.abhimanu.com/Article/IAS/MjE4NzM0/Pradhan-Mantri-Matsya-Sampada-Yojana-Geography-IAS