Chilika Lake Fishery on Path to Global Sustainability Recognition

KOCHI:
In a pioneering effort, fishery scientists, policy makers, industry stakeholders and community leaders have joined together for earning global sustainability recognition for Chilika Lake. A joint initiative by diverse stakeholders was launched on Wednesday to enter into the global sustainability certification process for the Lake’s mud crab fishery, a vital economic and ecologically important resource.

India’s first inland fishery to be earmarked for MSC certification
The move is aimed at achieving globally recognised sustainability certification of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and thereby elevating the market value of this fishery in exports, while protecting stocks, the wider ecosystem and local livelihoods depending on the resource. The Chilika mud crab is India’s first inland fishery to be earmarked for the MSC’s sustainability programme. The MSC is an international fisheries sustainability and ecolabelling program that recognises and rewards sustainable fishing practices. The certification process for a dozen of marine fish species from the country is in the final stage.

The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) in Barrakpore, Chilka Development Authority (CDA) and Sustainable Seafood Network of India (SSNI) are part of this joint initiative. A stakeholder workshop held at ICAR-CIFRI identified the areas of collaboration, prerequisites, and research focus for this landmark achievement. Experts highlighted that this move would help safeguard the rich biodiversity and the livelihoods dependent on Chilika Lake, India’s largest coastal lagoon and a UNESCO-recognized biodiversity hotspot. They stressed the urgent need for a collaborative effort to tackle significant threats facing inland and marine ecosystems in the region, particularly overfishing and pollution.

Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director of CIFRI said: “Sustainable fisheries management is crucial for preserving the ecological balance of Chilika Lake and ensuring the livelihoods of communities dependent on it”. Climate change, declining fish diversity and catch, destructive fishing, pollution and habitat destruction are some of the threats faced by the inland fisheries sector, he said.

Through collaborative efforts and scientific innovation, we aim to advance responsible practices that protect aquatic biodiversity while promoting economic resilience, Dr Das added.

MSC’s sustainability certification would ensure both ecological and economic benefits, said Dr Sunil Mohamed, former Principal Scientist at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and Chair of SSNI. “Global certification will help achieve better market access and premium prices for the resource in the export trades”, he added. “The process ensures sustainable fish stocks, minimising environmental impacts and effective management. Achieving the ecolabeling tag would make Chilika Lake fishery competitive in global fisheries trade. currently India’s share of global fisheries exports is 4% and it is growing”, he said.

The initial fishery assessment to inform the improvement actions is funded through MSC’s Ocean Stewardship Fund.

The meeting identified a road map for the certification process and proposed strategies for enhancing community involvement and the implementation of this joint endavour. Fishery scientists suggested developing and deploying effective restoration and mitigation strategies to address environmental challenges. The stakeholders decided to prepare a roadmap for prioritised species from the inland fisheries for the MSC certification.