CHENNAI, 10 September 2025: Stressing the need for a coordinated and integrated approach to the state’s marine fisheries sector, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Secretary Dr. N. Subbaiyan has proposed the creation of a common fisheries body that will bring together all fisheries research institutions, agencies, and organisations under one platform.
The proposal, made at a national workshop in Chennai on Tuesday, aims to establish a uniform and viable strategy for sectoral development and to address the long-standing issues faced by the fishing community.
“The body will have scientific expertise from various fisheries research institutes and organisations, with coordination from different state government departments and agencies,” Dr. Subbaiyan said while inaugurating the workshop.
He urged the Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU) to take the lead in spearheading the initiative, noting that such a platform would provide the scientific and technical backing needed to integrate on-ground solutions from multiple agencies.
“The unified platform is a vital step for the scientific community and fisheries managers to unite their efforts, fostering a more cohesive strategy for the welfare of the state’s fishing population and the sustainable development of the sector,” he added.
The Fisheries Secretary suggested that the new body convene every three months, focusing directly on the challenges of the fishing community. Regular meetings, he said, would ensure that solutions are not merely theoretical but also practical and implementable. Funding contributions could also be mobilised from various fisheries co-operative societies in the state.
Flagging the lack of coordination in current fisheries management, Dr. Subbaiyan stressed that policymaking and scientific research must go hand-in-hand to ensure long-term, evidence-based solutions.
The two-day national workshop on “Strengthening the Science-Management Interface” is jointly organised by the Bay of Bengal Programme Intergovernmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
Speaking at the event, TNJFU Vice Chancellor Dr. N. Felix underlined the importance of evidence-based fisheries management, highlighting research plans such as the re-validation of fishing bans, eco-modelling, and studies on invasive mussel species. He also announced that the University is committed to studying the impact of pollution from thermal power plants on aquatic resources in Tamil Nadu.
The workshop has drawn participation from marine scientists, academicians, fisheries officers from nine coastal states, NGOs, and other key stakeholders. Panel discussions are scheduled on topics including resource management, science-based governance, data collection, technological advancement, socio-economics, and climate-resilient strategies.
BOBP-IGO Director Dr. P. Krishnan said the workshop is expected to develop a comprehensive roadmap for embedding evidence-based decision-making in India’s marine fisheries sector. Dr. Hisham Mundol, Chief Advisor of EDF-India, emphasised the need for continuous collaboration to strengthen management measures and improve the livelihoods of fishing communities.
