Speakers call for action plan to boost safety of small-scale fishers amid climate threats - The HinduUpdated - October 17, 2026 07:06 pm IST - VIJAYAWADAA practical action plan needs to be in place to improve the safety of small-scale fishers, protect their rights and livelihoods, and ensure the long-term sustainability of marine fisheries in view of the changing climate, said speakers at a consultation workshop in Machilipatnam on Monday (October 12, 2026).The workshop was organised by the District Fishermen’s Youth Welfare Association and Fisheries Community Organisations Network of Andhra Pradesh (FISHCON), with support from the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO). It highlighted the debilitating impact of cyclones, floods, and other climate disasters on fishing communities.Around 70 fishers, from Tirupati, SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, and West Godavari districts, asked for strengthening of the weather forecasting system to ensure that messages regarding the weather reach them well in advance.“Such events affect fish availability, fishing seasons, and fishing infrastructure,” the fishers said, adding that there is a need for insurance schemes and compensation for fishers who lose their income during bans imposed because of natural disasters.The participants also recommended setting up of safe shelters, secure fish landing centres, storage facilities, and evacuation arrangements to protect fishing communities during disasters.The speakers stressed the importance of awareness programmes on fishing laws and government regulations, training for Fisheries Department officials, free legal assistance, and protection of traditional fishing communities from displacement due to coastal development projects.Krishna District Fishermen Cooperative Societies Federation chairman Naga Ramesh, State Fishermen Welfare Association general secretary Lakanam Nagananjaneyulu, BOBP-IGO representative Ahana Laksmi were also present.Published - October 12, 2026 07:55 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }