High-Level Dialogue on Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in BRICS-Agricultural Working Group under India's Chairship

📌 Summary:

• Department of Fisheries (MoFAH&D), Government of India, hosted High-Level Dialogue on Fisheries & Aquaculture under BRICS-Agricultural Working Group on 28 May 2026 (virtual) — under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship
• Co-chaired by Shri Sagar Mehra (JS Inland Fisheries) and Dr. Surabhi Rai (JS Marine Fisheries)
• Participants: senior officials from Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, UAE; plus FAO India Representative, ICAR DDG (Fisheries Science), BOBP-IGO Director
• Builds on Brazil's 2025 BRICS Presidency Joint Ministerial Declaration which called for structured, continuous BRICS engagement in fisheries
• Key data point: BRICS collectively accounts for ~70% of global aquaculture and ~30% of capture fisheries — a dominant global bloc in aquatic food systems
• Areas of cooperation identified: technology/knowledge exchange in hatchery & breeding, genetic improvement programmes, quality seed availability, seaweed culture, germplasm development
• Challenges flagged: climate variability, biosecurity risks, market volatility — requiring coordinated, technology-driven responses
• Indian emphasis: farmer-centric approaches, digital transformation, value chain strengthening, AI/drones/satellite monitoring, small-scale fishers and women participation
• BOBP-IGO Director proposed an Inter-BRICS Trade Platform to reduce dependence on Western certification systems; positioned Bay of Bengal as hub for safety, digital catch systems, capacity building
• FAO emphasised Blue Transformation agenda, women/youth empowerment

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 (multilateral diplomacy under India's BRICS Chairship), GS3 (Agriculture/Animal husbandry — fisheries as livelihood and food security), Blue Economy. Shows India using its Chairship to anchor a Global South alternative to Western trade architecture in fish/aquaculture.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• India holds BRICS Chairship in 2026 (after Brazil in 2025)
• BRICS (expanded) members participating: Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, UAE
• BRICS share: ~70% of global aquaculture + ~30% of capture fisheries
• BOBP-IGO = Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (Chennai-based, members include India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives)
• FAO = Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
• ICAR = Indian Council of Agricultural Research
• "Blue Transformation" — FAO's strategic vision (2022) for sustainable aquatic food systems

🔑 Key Term: Blue Transformation — FAO's 2022 strategic framework to expand sustainable aquaculture, manage capture fisheries effectively, and strengthen aquatic value chains to meet rising demand for aquatic foods.