Bhubaneswar, June 14: Environmentalist and water conservation activist Ranjan Panda has written to CM Mohan Charan Majhi, urging the state government to introduce urgent social and economic protection measures for small and marginal fisherfolk who may be severely affected by a proposed suspension of marine fishing activities from June 15.
In his letter, Panda expressed concern over reports that several fishermen’s associations have decided to halt fishing operations in protest against rising diesel prices and increasing operational costs. He warned that any prolonged disruption could have serious consequences for thousands of fishing families dependent on the sector for their livelihoods.
The letter highlights the multiple challenges already facing Odisha’s coastal communities, including climate change, rising sea temperatures, changing fish migration patterns, frequent cyclones, coastal erosion, marine pollution, and declining fish catches. These factors, Panda noted, have placed immense economic pressure on small-scale fishers.
Panda has called on the state government to provide immediate relief and livelihood support, including emergency financial assistance, subsidized fuel for small-scale operators, concessional credit, and debt-relief measures. He also advocated strengthening social security schemes, expanding access to pensions, health insurance, education support, and livelihood diversification programmes.
A key recommendation in the letter is the creation of a dedicated Fisheries Livelihood Insurance Scheme to protect fishing households against disruptions caused by cyclones, climate change, fuel price shocks, fishing bans, and declining fish stocks.
The activist also emphasized the need to formally recognize women engaged in fisheries-related activities such as fish processing, marketing, net making, transportation, and value addition. He argued that women should be included in compensation packages, insurance coverage, and all social protection programmes related to the fisheries sector.
Further, Panda urged the government to invest in climate-resilient fisheries through sustainable fishing technologies, coastal ecosystem restoration, community-based fisheries management, and skill development initiatives for youth and women.
Stressing the vital role of fisherfolk as food producers and custodians of coastal ecosystems, Panda appealed to the Odisha government to take proactive steps to safeguard the dignity, livelihood security, and resilience of vulnerable coastal communities in the face of growing economic and climate-related challenges.
