The WCS-India marine programme hosted a multi-stakeholder workshop themed “Balancing livelihoods and marine conservation through Fisheries cooperatives” in Mumbai on the 5th March. The workshop included key stakeholder representatives from fisheries cooperatives from coastal Ratnagiri district, along with the representatives from the Mangrove Foundation, the Maharashtra Forest Department and Fisheries department.
Image: Participants of the workshop gather for a group photograph.
Image: Inaugural Address: Mr. S.V. Ramarao, APCCF & Executive Director, Mangrove Cell, addresses the audience.
Image: Workshop Objectives: Dr. Aaron Savio Lobo, Head of the Marine Programme, WCS-India, sets the stage by outlining the workshop’s objectives.
The workshop was a culmination of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with each of these fisheries cooperatives held in November last year. During the FGDs the fisheries cooperatives helped map out key challenges at the intersection of fisheries management and marine conservation. These included issues surrounding the accidental bycatch and mortality of threatened marine fauna encountered in fishing operations as well as a discussion on laws and policy pertaining to the sustainable management of fisheries. During these FGDs important insights were obtained cooperative members (the fishers) – they are after all the eyes and ears of the sea.
Image: Participants actively engage in group discussions.
Image: Ms. Alissa Barnes, WCS-India’s Marine Programme, facilitates a group work session.
Image: Dr. Manas Manjrekar, Deputy Director, Mangrove Foundation, leads a group work session.
India is a major marine fisheries nation in the world. Fisheries in this country support the lives and livelihoods of millions of coastal communities and are also a crucial source of food and nutrition. However overfishing is a major driver of change in the marine environment, that poses a major threat to the marine ecosystem and countless marine species including the lives and the livelihoods of the fishing communities themselves.
Building on the insights from the Focal Group Discussions, this current workshop had three main objectives:
- To highlight the main recommendations that came from those Focal Group Discussions last year.
- Share these insights with other stakeholders present and obtain feedback (including the Forest and Fisheries Department).
- Capacity Development: To understand what specific trainings are needed to bridge this gap.
The workshop provided a much-needed space for open discussions, where participants worked together to identify challenges, develop strategies, and strengthen communication between stakeholders.
Image: Participant Insights: Mr. Chinmay Joshi, Assistant Fisheries Development Officer, Ratnagiri, shares his perspectives.
Image: Closing Remarks: Ms. Kanchan Powar, DFO, Mangrove South Konkan, Maharashtra Forest Department, delivers the final closing remarks.
Their presence and enthusiastic engagement highlighted their commitment to positive change along with the importance of this workshop. We look forward to keeping these conversations going and working together towards more sustainable fisheries management practices!
Image: Mr. Pradip Chogale, Project Associate, WCS-India’s Marine Programme, serves as the Master of Ceremonies for the day.