A National Workshop on “Strategising Action for Climate Finance in the Fisheries Sector” was successfully conducted at ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology on 18.03.2026, bringing together fishermen and women, experts, policymakers, financial institutions, and NGOs to deliberate on the climate challenges faced by the fisheries sector and finding necessary mechanism for financing solutions.

Mr. G.S. Pradeep, Hazard and Risk Analyst at Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, Thiruvananthapuram, elaborated on the impacts of climate change on Kerala’s coastal ecosystems and fishing communities, highlighting increasing vulnerabilities such as floods, extreme weather events, and ecosystem degradation. Mr. Tapan Kumar Sahoo, Deputy General Manager, Department of Climate Action and Sustainability at National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, explained the framework of NABARD’s financial assistance under various scenarios and emphasized the importance of harnessing climate finance for the fisheries sector.

Dr. A. Bijukumar, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies; Smt. Neetha K. Gopal, Director, India Meteorological Department, Kerala Region; Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology; Dr. Shine Kumar C.S., Director, National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training; and Dr. Nikita Gopal, Head, EIS & Principal Scientist, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, spoke on the need to integrate climate resilience into fisheries development and emphasized the role of innovative financing mechanisms in safeguarding coastal livelihoods.

An interactive group activity on Impact Mapping involved identifying key climate challenges across different fishing sectors, assessing existing coping strategies, and proposing potential solutions. A Finance Action Lab, focused on classifying solutions and linking them with appropriate financial instruments and funding opportunities.

The workshop concluded with active participation and valuable insights from stakeholders, reinforcing the importance of collaborative approaches in addressing climate risks and mobilizing climate finance for sustainable fisheries development.