In a historic transition, India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council Meeting held in Malé, Maldives. The event, attended by senior government representatives from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bangladesh, was part of the high-level conference, Policy Guidance for Mainstreaming Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Small-Scale Fisheries. Hosted by the Maldivian Ministry of Fisheries & Ocean Resources, in collaboration with BOBP-IGO, the conference took place from 20th to 22nd February 2025 in Lankanfinolhu, Maldives. The Indian delegation, led by Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, officially assumed the Chair during the event. Dr Likhi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening and advancing the initiatives of BOBP-IGO, building upon the achievements of its predecessor, Bangladesh. He assured that the Department of Fisheries would work diligently to elevate the organisation’s success and provide definitive guidance for future endeavours to develop the fisheries sector across all member nations. Emphasising the importance of regional cooperation, Dr Likhi highlighted key focus areas for enhanced collaboration, including marine resource management, capacity-building programmes, research and policy advocacy, and addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. India remains optimistic about continued support from international bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). He urged member nations to strengthen ties by exchanging knowledge, technology, data, and best practices to harmonise economic development while ensuring marine ecosystem protection and poverty alleviation. During the meeting, Dr Likhi also outlined India’s developmental policies aimed at improving the well-being of small-scale fisheries. He underscored the sustainability measures being implemented under various national schemes, reinforcing India’s commitment to ensuring long-term environmental and economic balance in the fisheries sector. With India now at the helm of BOBP-IGO, the Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, aims to lead the member nations effectively and collaboratively. The objective is not only to drive significant progress in small-scale fisheries across the region but also to position India as a leader in international fisheries governance. This milestone bestows India with increased global responsibility and is expected to contribute to achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, aligning sustainable fisheries development with broader economic and social growth.Image Source: ndtvprofit