Strengthening the resilience of Coastal Communities for Climate Change

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Non-governmental organization (NGO)

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#OceanAction42439

Description

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) stands for Harnessing science and technology for sustainable development through a pro-poor, pro nature, pro women and pro-sustainability approach. The foundation also believes in combining modern science with action research to influence policy issues. MSSRF works in the areas of Coastal Systems Research, Biodiversity, Biotechnology, Eco-technology, Food Security and Information, Education, and Communication. The programme coastal system research is dealing with Fisheries and coastal ecosystem management.

The main aim of the Coastal System Research Programme (CSR) is to integrate livelihood security of coastal communities and ecological security of coastal systems for the sustainable development of the coastal zone. Fish for All Research and Training Centre is an arm under CSR and it is mainly focusing on improving the socioeconomic condition of coastal fishing and farming communities adopt a holistic approach in sustainable fisheries resource management, sustainable livelihood options, disaster preparedness, and management.

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) initiated its mangrove conservation and sustainable fisheries programme all along the East Coast of India to enhance the ecological security of the coastal areas and the livelihood security of the coastal communities. The main objective of the programme is

To restore and sustain critical coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, and coastal forests
To promote the adoption of responsible and sustainable fishing practices through knowledge and skill enhancement
To strengthen the resilience of fishing communities to climate change

MSSRF working with the coastal communities to conserve and manage this important ecosystem. It has restored nearly 2500 ha of degraded mangroves through participatory management in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Maharashtra. The fish for all centers is promoting awareness and educating fishers on sustainable use of marine resources. Artisanal fishers are provided with access to ocean-related information, sustainable use of fish resources and hygienic handling information through fisher friend mobile application. The information on pelagic fish shoal from the application helps only to catch pelagic fish resources and encourage fishers to use surface gillnetting. With the facility of GPS in the application, the fishers are able to mark the important marine hotspots in the sea for the protection and sustainable use of the resources.

Implementation methodologies

Participatory research, action, and monitoring with stakeholders
Promotion of gender-balanced grass root institutions
Technology support and Incubation: Techniques or interventions which are easily adaptable by the stakeholders would be identified, initiated and de-mystified
Enhance knowledge, skills and bring changes in attitude and behavior
Networking and sharing of resources for sustainable livelihoods and management of resources
Communication and Policy advocacy

Partners

State Fisheries and forest departments (Government), Ministry of Environment Forest (Government), Disaster Management Authority (Government), Indian Coast Guard (Government), Indian National Centre for Ocean information Services (Government)

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

Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

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

Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

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

Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

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

Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

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

Name	Description
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
14.7	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.b	Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

False

Feedback

Action Network

Timeline

01 November 2018 (start date)

01 March 2023 (date of completion)

Entity

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation - Non Governmental Organization (NGO)

SDGs

Geographical coverage

Chennai, India

Other beneficiaries

fishermen, women, coastal tribes, CBO,s, , Fishermen and women Associations, Traditional and Constitutional panchayat leaders

Ocean Basins

Indian Ocean

Communities of Ocean Action

Mangroves, Coral reefs, Sustainable fisheries, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology

More information

http://www.mssrf.org

Countries

N/A

Contact Information

Singaravelu Velvizhi, Dr

velvizhi@mssrf.res.in, svelvizhi2015@gmail.com