FAO in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) inaugurated the International Conclave on Mainstreaming Climate Change into International Fisheries Governance and Strengthening of Fisheries Management Measures in Indo-Pacific region on 17 October, 2023 in Mahabalipuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The three-day conclave aims to establish recommendations and guidelines for climate-resilient fisheries management and develop strategies to incorporate climate considerations into international fisheries governance.

The Conclave was inaugurated by Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The inaugural day of the conclave was also attended by Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Department of Fisheries, Secretary and Neetu Prasad, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India.

Other important dignitaries included Senior Fisheries Officer, FAO, Dr Piero Mannini and Chair of the Regional Fisheries Bodies Secretariat Network, Dr Darius Campbell and Director, BOBP-IGO, Dr P. Krishnan from the international front and Deputy Director General (Fisheries), ICAR, Dr J.K. Jena, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board, Dr  L. Narasimha Murthy and other Senior Officers of Department of Fisheries, Government of India, State Governments, Universities, Research Institutes.  

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Parshottam Rupala called upon the need for an inclusive space for all players and to adopt a collaborative global action to mitigate the ongoing climate crisis in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. He also highlighted the contribution of the fisheries sector to India's economy which provides livelihood for over 2.8 crore fishers and fish farmers at primary level.

The FAO Representative in India emphasized the need for the member countries to keep Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the core while working for the livelihood, nutrition and welfare in the fisheries sector in light of the current climate crisis. He highlighted the need for blue transformation, adding “Aquatic foods have been recognized as having a critical role in addressing hunger. Compared to land-based animal protein production, aquatic food systems generally have lower environmental footprints and can efficiently produce diverse foods. Furthermore, they contain essential micronutrients to address malnutrition”.

Distribution of shared marine fish stocks is being significantly altered due to climate change, worldwide. Recent research indicates that before the close of this century, approximately half of the commonly shared marine fish stocks are expected to undergo relocation, with most of the world's exclusive economic zones experiencing at least one such relocation. The international conclave comes at a crucial time considering the serious challenges being posed to the existing fisheries management framework.