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ThuNov 21

World Fisheries Day – November 21, 2024

World Fisheries Day, celebrated on November 21, is dedicated to highlighting the critical importance of healthy ocean ecosystems and to ensure sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world. Fishing communities celebrate this day through rallies, workshops, public meetings, cultural dramas, exhibitions, and music shows.  Fisher folks in India, where it is widely celebrated, also demonstrate the importance of maintaining the fisheries of the world along with highlighting the problems like overfishing and mechanization. World Fisheries Day also explores finding solutions to the increasingly interconnected problems that the world is facing to follow sustainable models of our ocean ecosystems.

History of World Fisheries Day

World Fisheries Day, which is followed in India on November 21, highlights the fact that fisheries are an important sector in the country. It provides employment to millions of people, as well as contributing to the food security of India.

The fishery resources in India are mainly composed of inland and marine. Inland fisheries are mainly composed of major rivers and their tributaries, ponds, reservoirs, lakes, canals, and so forth. World Fisheries Day is celebrated worldwide by the fishing communities to recognize the vast and sometimes underappreciated food source for millions of humans.

In 2019, Andhra Pradesh’s government launched a number of welfare schemes for fishermen on the occasion of World Fisheries Day. State Fisheries Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana said on the occasion, “The YSRCP government has increased compensation to fishermen, for the mandatory ban period of 45 days, from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000.” The state government has also increased the subsidy on diesel for mechanized or non-mechanized boats. In case of death of fisherman compensation of 10 lakh will be given within two months.

Indian fisheries and aquaculture is an important sector of food production providing nutritional security, besides livelihood support and gainful employment to more than 14 million people, and contributing to agricultural exports. With diverse resources ranging from deep seas to lakes in the mountains and more than 10 percent of the global biodiversity in terms of fish and shellfish species, the country has shown continuous and sustained increments in fish production since independence in 1947. 

The total fish production during 2017-18 was estimated to be 12.60 million metric tonnes, of which nearly 65 percent is from the inland sector and about 50 percent of the total production is from culture fisheries, which constitutes about 6.3 percent of the global fish production. More than 50 different types of fish and shellfish products are being exported to 75 countries around the world. Fish and fish products have presently emerged as the largest group in agricultural exports from India. On World Fisheries Day, make sure to support fisheries and new sustainable ways to make our ocean ecosystems cleaner.

World Fisheries Day timeline

2019
Supporting Indian fisheries

Andhra Pradesh's government launches a number of welfare schemes for fishermen on the occasion of World Fisheries Day, including the death of fisherman compensation and a subsidy increase on diesel for mechanized or unmechanized boats.

2016
Fish production at an all-time high

Total fish production reaches an all-time high of 171 million tonnes, of which 88 percent was utilized for direct human consumption, thanks to relatively stable capture fisheries production, reduced wastage, and continued aquaculture growth.

2014
The importance of sustainable fisheries

A report by Prince Charles' International Sustainability Unit is released, estimating global fisheries were adding $270 billion a year to global GDP, but by full implementation of sustainable fishing, that figure could rise by as much as $50 billion.

1961
Double-growth of fish consumption

Since this year, the annual global growth in fish consumption has been twice as high as population growth, furthermore, while the annual growth of aquaculture has declined in recent years, significant double-digit growth is still recorded in continents like Africa and Asia.

World Fisheries Day FAQs

Why is World Fisheries Day celebrated?

A number of traditional societies and communities rally around the occupation of fishing. World Fisheries Day celebrations serve as an important reminder that we must focus on changing the way the world manages global fisheries to ensure sustainable stocks and healthy ecosystems.

What is the largest fishery in the world?

Anchovy fishing is the largest fishery in the world.

What is another name for fishery?

There are around 12 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for fishery, such as spawning place, fish hatchery, fishing banks, fishtrap, weir, fish cannery, aquarium, tank, cannery, hatchery and piscary.

How To Celebrate World Fisheries Day

  1. Attend a fishery sustainability workshop

    Fisheries are a vital part of our ecosystem and food resources across the globe. On World Fisheries Day, consider signing up for an online workshop to learn about sustainable methods to keep our ocean ecosystems alive and productive. There are various events across the globe that celebrate this day. If you can’t find an event near you, organize a workshop with like-minded friends and family.

  2. Get involved with the fisherfolk community

    Fishermen contribute greatly to resourcing fish for food and should be supported in any way they can be, especially in developing nations. Consider fundraising for their charity events, whether they hold a rally or public meeting, to increase awareness of fisheries around the world and what they do every day. You are sure to learn a lot more about where your fish comes from and how it can be sustained in a better manner.

  3. Take care of your environment

    The oceans and fisheries become cleaner and more sustainable when our environment is less filled with rubbish. This includes taking care of rivers, dams, and the sea as these are important habitats for fish and aquatic organisms. Next time you go camping, hiking, or the beach, be sure to pick up any rubbish you see along the way. Try to educate people as well about the devastating impact of rubbish and to reduce the amount of plastic waste.

5 Important Fact About World Fisheries Day

  1. Low-income work

    65 percent of the reported catch from inland fisheries is from low-income food-deficit countries.

  2. Where your fish comes from

    Estimates vary, but from around 30 million to over 60 million people in the developing world are involved in inland fisheries — it is thought that about 50 percent are women.

  3. Fish and protein

    More than 25 percent of the world’s dietary protein is provided by fish.

  4. Humans consume a lot of fish

    The human population consumes over 100 million tons of fish annually.

  5. When in Africa

    Over 200 million of Africa’s 1 billion people regularly consume fish and nearly half of this comes from inland fisheries.

Why World Fisheries Day Is Important

  1. It’s a reminder of environmental sustainability

    A recent United Nations study reported that more than two-thirds of the world's fisheries have been overfished or are fully harvested and more than one third are in a state of decline because of factors such as the loss of essential fish habitats, pollution, and global warming. World Fisheries Day is an important reminder to inform ourselves and those around us of climate change and pollution, in order to keep our fisheries clean and productive.

  2. It supports fishermen and women

    Fish forms an important part of the diets of people around the world, particularly those that live near rivers, coasts, and other water bodies. A number of traditional societies and communities are rallied around the occupation of fishing, and around 50 percent of them are women. It’s time to increase awareness about low-income fishermen and women who work tirelessly in fisheries, especially in developing countries. Consider giving in charity or post information and statistics on social media.

  3. It helps us learn more about the environment

    Countries such as India contribute greatly to the sourcing of fish. Indian fisheries and aquaculture is an important sector of food production providing nutritional security, besides livelihood support and gainful employment to more than 14 million people, and contributing to agricultural exports. More than 50 different types of fish and shellfish products are being exported to 75 countries around the world. Fish and fish products have presently emerged as the largest group in agricultural exports from India. World Fisheries Day is a great time to learn more about where our fish comes from and the environment of fisheries.

World Fisheries Day dates

YearDateDay
2024November 21Thursday
2025November 21Friday
2026November 21Saturday
2027November 21Sunday
2028November 21Tuesday

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