Ocean Commitment for Tamil Nadu
AIDENT SOCIAL WELFARE ORGANISATION
(
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#OceanAction57629
Description
The Tamil Nadu Ocean Commitment is a voluntary initiative dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of Tamil Nadu’s marine and coastal ecosystems. This commitment aims to enhance biodiversity protection, support sustainable fisheries, mitigate ocean pollution, and strengthen climate resilience among coastal communities.
Objectives
Marine Biodiversity Conservation – Protect and restore key marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows.
Sustainable Fisheries Management – Promote responsible fishing practices, support small-scale fishers, and integrate traditional knowledge with modern sustainability approaches.
Pollution Reduction and Waste Management – Reduce marine plastic pollution, promote circular economy initiatives, and enhance coastal waste management systems.
Climate Change Adaptation – Implement nature-based solutions to strengthen coastal resilience against rising sea levels, cyclones, and ocean acidification.
Community Empowerment and Livelihood Support – Train and support coastal communities, particularly fisherfolk, in sustainable livelihoods such as eco-tourism, seaweed farming, and marine conservation.
Marine Research and Innovation – Strengthen scientific research on ocean health, encourage data-driven policies, and foster collaboration between academic institutions and local authorities.
Policy and Governance – Strengthen marine and coastal governance frameworks by aligning with national and global ocean conservation goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14 – Life Below Water).
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India (Government Agency)
Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department (Government Agency)
National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) (Research Institution)
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) (Research Institution)
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT) (Conservation Organization)
WWF-India, Tamil Nadu Chapter (NGO)
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
Name | Description |
---|---|
14.1 | By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution |
14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
14.3 | Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels |
14.4 | By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics |
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
Feedback
Action Network

Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Other beneficiaries
Ocean Basins
Communities of Ocean Action
Website/More information
Countries

Headquarters
Contact Information
TANVIR, Mr