Diagnostic Report Highlights Climate Risks and Structural Vulnerabilities for India's Small-Scale Fishers

India’s small-scale fishers are facing increasingly unpredictable climate risks, with rising temperatures, storm surges, shifts in monsoon and fishing seasons, and changing fish availability emerging as serious threats to their livelihoods. These findings are part of a diagnostic report prepared for the proposed National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF).

Aside from climate-induced vulnerabilities, the report identified several structural challenges within the sector, including insecure coastal tenure, poor market access, gender exclusion, and uneven access to welfare schemes. The diagnostic report was prepared by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) in collaboration with national experts, with technical guidance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It represents the outcome of the initiation phase of the FAO-guided NPOA-SSF process in India.

Documenting the experiences of fishing communities, the report highlights that climate impacts are becoming increasingly visible through more intense cyclones, frequent storm surges, a growing number of rough seas days, and declining sardine catches. These factors are leading to a direct loss of productive fishing days for coastal communities.

P Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, noted that climate impacts vary significantly depending on the type of fishing unit, access to infrastructure, financial capacity, and the overall ability of communities to recover after a disaster. The report emphasizes the need for proactive action, proposing a nationwide audit of disaster-related infrastructure, the identification of highly vulnerable areas, and the establishment of reliable compensation mechanisms for affected fishing families. Adaptation measures outlined in the document include stronger boats, improved weather forecasting systems, post-disaster financial support, upskilling initiatives, and alternate livelihood options.

In addition to environmental and climate pressures, the sector struggles with poor market access and inadequate post-harvest infrastructure. Fishers reported a lack of sufficient storage and processing facilities, difficulties in securing fair prices, and limited access to wider markets. Safety at sea remains another critical concern, driven by the high cost of safety equipment alongside inadequate harbor and landing infrastructure.

The findings underscore the necessity for the proposed national plan of action to establish a comprehensive framework that ensures secure fishing rights, safer working conditions, stronger value chains, and inclusive governance within the sector, according to Krishnan.

"The challenges highlighted in this diagnostic report point to critical operational vulnerabilities in India's small-scale fisheries sector. From a business and economic perspective, building resilience requires robust supply chain infrastructure, accessible post-harvest storage, and better financial risk management tools like insurance and disaster compensation. Addressing these foundational gaps is essential to secure sustainable livelihoods and stabilize the rural coastal economy." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes