ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka and countries bordering the Bay of Bengal marked World Fisheries Day 2025 on 21 November by acknowledging small-scale fisheries’ contributions to coastal livelihoods, food security, and sustainable development.
The event was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) with the Government of Sri Lanka.
The event brought together representatives from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, and fisher organizations, partners, and local institutions, to strengthen regional cooperation in the fisheries sector.
“World Fisheries Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of small-scale fishers and fish workers,” said Pandian Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO.
“Through the NPOA-SSF process, our countries are translating the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, a global commitment, into concrete action, strengthening governance, empowering fishing communities and ensuring long-term sustainability in the Bay of Bengal.”
More than 4.3 million Sri Lankans depend directly or indirectly on fisheries for their livelihoods, and our ocean, rivers and lakes, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said.
“By working together with our partners, we are advancing shared goals for sustainability, resilience and prosperity, ensuring that our coastal communities can thrive for generations to come”.
World Fisheries Day recognizes the importance of sustainable fisheries for food security, livelihoods and economic growth.
It calls attention to the need for responsible management of aquatic resources, better working conditions for fishers, and greater recognition of their role in local and global aquatic food systems.
This year, FAO and BOBP-IGO showcased how regional cooperation and local commitment are shaping a stronger, more sustainable small-scale fisheries sector across the Bay of Bengal.
A key focus of the event was the advancement of National Plans of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF) – national strategies that guide countries in implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines).
FAO and BOBP-IGO also convened a Regional Inception Workshop on NPOA-SSF development from 20 to 22 November which launched National Task Forces (NTFs) in each of the four member countries.
“World Fisheries Day reminds us that small-scale fisheries are vital to global food security, coastal livelihoods, and the health of our ocean,” said Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative in Sri Lanka.
“FAO works with countries to ensure that these communities, who produce nearly half of the world’s fish for human consumption, have the tools, knowledge and voice they need to thrive.”
This year’s celebrations coincide with FAO’s 80th anniversary, eight decades dedicated to support sustainable fisheries, food security, and coastal livelihoods worldwide. (Colombo/Nov24/2025)
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