Tamil Nadu proposes unified fisheries

Speaking at a national workshop on Tuesday, Dr N. Subbaiyan said the proposed body would bring ‘a uniform and viable strategy’ to fisheries development while addressing longstanding issues faced by the fishing community.

“The body will have scientific expertise from various fisheries research institutes and organisations with coordination from various state government departments and agencies,” he said.

Urging the Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University to lead the initiative, Dr Subbaiyan added, “This body can manage scientific and technical backing to integrate with the solutions on the ground from various agencies.

“The unified platform is a vital step for the scientific community and fisheries managers to unite their efforts, thereby fostering a more cohesive strategy for the welfare of the state’s fishing population and the sustainable development of the sector.”

He suggested that the body convene quarterly to directly address challenges. “The regular meetings are expected to pave the way for a more coherent, concrete and broad approach to fisheries management, ensuring that solutions are not just theoretical but also tangible and practical,” he said.

Highlighting persistent issues due to a lack of coordination, Dr Subbaiyan stressed the importance of aligning policymaking with scientific research for lasting solutions.

The two-day workshop on ‘Strengthening the Science-Management Interface’, organised by BOBP-IGO and EDF, was attended by marine scientists, fisheries officers and stakeholders from nine coastal states.