Background

• The Indian marine fisheries sector has reached around 3.70 million tonnes of capture in recent years, indicating it has achieved its maximum sustainable yield. Despite this, there is still inequity.
• Small-scale fishers account for 90% of the fishing population but contribute only 10% of the total catch. This disproportionately affects their livelihoods. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that many small-scale fisher families live below the poverty line.
• In a recent study, about one-third of the vessels fishing for shrimp in the Arabian Sea were found to be engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Over 10 kilograms of discarded bycatch (unwanted fish caught incidentally) were retained on board, with 37% of these discards being juvenile fish.
• Multi-species, multi-gear fisheries pose significant challenges due to the large number of different species caught and the diverse fishing methods. Inadequate spatial planning and investments further complicate the issue.
• Overfishing causes biodiversity degradation by damaging coral reefs and oceanic communities, leading to the collapse of food webs.
• Juvenile fishing, characterized by smaller mesh sizes, targets fish before they reach maturity. This practice is ecologically unsustainable and leads to economic losses.
• Examples of economically important species affected include sardine and mackerel. The decline of these species can take years or even decades to recover, or in the worst-case scenario, may be irreversible.
• Previous collapses of fishery stocks have occurred. For example, the California sardine fishery collapsed in the mid-20th century due to overfishing and unfavorable environmental conditions.

• Fisheries regulatory frameworks are complex. While all coastal states and union territories have their own Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRAs), a patchwork of rules exists, making enforcement challenging.
• Undermining conservation efforts is further complicated by the lack of clear enforcement guidelines.
• Countries need to adopt harmonized safeguards to implement international standards for integrating ecologically sustainable catch limits. This includes uniform minimum legal size (MLS), fishing gear restrictions, and closed seasons.
• The New Zealand's (FMA) quota management system has been effective due to its scientific design and policy. This system relies on robust stock assessments and has led to the rebuilding of some fisheries.
• The adjusting of the FMA for large mechanized trawlers at least on a pilot basis, which could mean the depletion of marine biodiversity by long fishing allowances or actual stock health rather than vessel size or fuel use. The target size limits and minimum legal-size regulations are already in place.
• There are success stories from India. For example, in Kerala, enfaced minimum legal size for threadfin bream has led to an increase of 41% within a single season. This allows the fish to mature and reproduce, resulting in better income for fishers.
• In the fish-meal and fish-oil (FMFO) industry, juvenile fish are a major component. It diverts fish that could be used for human consumption, thereby creating an inequitable distribution of resources.
• Some states' trawl fisheries account for over half of the catch volume, much of which is juvenile fish.
• Bycatch is often converted into fish meal and oil, further exacerbating the issue. The Indian Fish Consumers and the Indian Aquaculture Industry have focused on ethical nutrition sources.
• The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) is advocating for the release of juveniles or redirecting bycatch toward local aquaculture.
• However, achieving these reforms demands action at multiple levels. At the national level, the central government needs to optimize vessel licenses, infrastructure grants, and fisheries subsidies. There is also a need to develop a robust regulatory framework that includes well-equipped patrols and real-time reporting tools.
• Fisher cooperatives and village councils should be empowered to manage local marine protected areas and breeding sanctuaries. Urban and rural consumers should prioritize ethically sourced seafood and refuse to purchase fish that contributes to marine biodiversity loss.

• Climate-driven threats, coastal erosion, and market volatility already threaten India's nearly 8,000 km coastline and its 3,500 fishing villages.
• Getting accurate data is crucial. This will help prevent poverty, eradicate marine biodiversity loss, and provide sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.
• Solutions should be based on science-based quotas, harmonized regulations, community-led stewardship, and a policy shift that focuses on long-term sustainability.
• International Day for Biological Diversity reminds us that we must protect our vibrant marine life. This not only promotes jobs and livelihoods but also the ecological resilience and equitable prosperity of generations to come.

• 3. Israel's Isolation: A Growing International Concern

• • Joint statements and announcements from Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the EU confirm that Israel's isolation is intensifying due to its military campaign in Gaza.
  • Since the ceasefire on March 18, over 3,000 residents have been killed in the enclave, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
  • Israel's blockade on aid and humanitarian supplies has pushed the population towards starvation.
  • US President Donald Trump's recent trip to West Asia highlighted Prime Minister Netanyahu's increasing political isolation.
  • Despite international rebukes, Netanyahu has stated that Israeli Defense Forces will continue operations in the area and will not relinquish "full military control" of the Gaza Strip, from which the IDF withdrew in 2005.
  • Comments from Canadian (Mark Carney), French (Emmanuel Macron), and UK (Keir Starmer) leaders indicate their support for Israel's actions in response to the October 7, 2023 terror attacks. However, they condemned the "intolerable" human suffering in Gaza and Israel's "disproportionate" response.
  • They condemned Israel's leadership for threatening to evict Palestinians forcibly from the Strip and advocated for a "two-state solution" for Israel and Palestine.
  • At a United Nations conference in June, three countries even threatened sanctions against Israel.
  • Netanyahu claims that Hamas's "huge prize" is over, and it's not too soon to stop until "total victory" is achieved. He continues these claims without any verification.

  The Situation Now

  • The international community is speaking up against Netanyahu's policies.
  • New Delhi has remained noticeably silent on this matter. This silence may be due to its own preoccupation with Pakistan and Israel's unequivocal support for Operation Sindoor.
  • There is no direct connection, but the two situations are similar, as both involve two million people losing their homes due to displacement and conflict.
  • Despite the widespread deprivations, Israel has not clearly articulated its objectives beyond ending Hamas.
  • Netanyahu has repeatedly stated his government's actions are a "war of civilization over barbarism." However, critics question how much of this reflects the views of the public versus a small group of supporters for this war.

  Way Forward

  • The international community should continue to pressure Israel to end the conflict and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
  • A two-state solution for Israel and Palestine should be pursued as the only viable long-term solution.
  • Countries that have been silent on the issue, such as India, should be encouraged to take a stronger stance in line with international humanitarian principles.
  • There is a need for transparency and accountability from all parties involved in the conflict.
  • The focus should shift from military objectives to addressing the humanitarian crisis and achieving a lasting peace

  
  

  3. The Narrative Battleground: India's Challenge in International Diplomacy

• Background

• India's recent diplomatic efforts to send emissaries to various countries to explain its position on the recent conflicts with Pakistan and the terrorist attack in Pulwama raise a critical question: Is this merely a diplomatic display, or a genuine change in approach?
• On the surface, the move appears strategic to manage international perception, prevent misrepresentation, and reinforce India's standing as a responsible global actor. However, there's a deeper concern that India's narrative in a complex world, where perception often outweighs facts and international sympathy isn't guaranteed, might be overlooked.
• The government's strategic decisions in selecting members of the delegation and their political affiliations raise questions about the effectiveness and anticipated outcomes of such a move.
• In an increasingly globalized world, it is no longer sufficient to merely comply with international conventions. Countries must actively engage with their audience and build legitimacy to gain international support.
• India aims to convince the international community that its military response was calibrated and necessary to counter terrorism, not an aggressive act or an unprovoked nationalist display. This calculated strength reflects India's confidence, but whether it can be communicated effectively for maximum international support remains a key challenge.
• At the same time, the need for extensive public diplomacy exercises underscores a deeper problem: India's diplomatic engagement suggests it acknowledges that its actions might be misunderstood or misrepresented in the global arena. This effort isn't just about controlling the narrative but also about securing international recognition of its actions.

• The crisis of credibility is amplified in an era where misinformation spreads faster than official briefings. Recent examples demonstrate how easily false beliefs become public.
• Old video footage, unrelated disaster clips, and images from video games have been circulated online as real incidents. This highlights the challenge of differentiating between real and manipulated information.
• Both Indian and Pakistani social media users have shared emotional content that is often exaggerated or fabricated. AI-generated images and deepfakes further complicate the situation, making it harder to discern truth from fiction.
• In a fast-paced media environment, where attention spans are short, the public often makes decisions based on emotional and poorly structured narratives.
• This collapse of credibility raises a crucial question: Can anyone differentiate verifiable information from misleading propaganda? And has the impact of misinformation gone unnoticed?
• The problem isn't just about distinguishing truth from falsehood; it's about the performance of truth itself, where "truth" is often less about objective facts and more about what is believed to be true.
• The erosion of trust extends beyond mere facts, encompassing the very foundations of meaning, narrative, and ethical clarity. When truth loses its power, what remains is not genuine debate but disarray.
• In this sense, India's diplomatic campaign might not be a strategic act but a desperate attempt to rebuild its damaged reputation. This struggle to restore truth against a backdrop of falsehoods and narratives highlights a fundamental weakness.
• The failure to achieve significant military or moral victories will only worsen the situation, as the audience will be less inclined to believe claims of justice.

• The deeper question is not whether India can explain itself to the world but whether the world still retains a framework within which such explanations are heard and understood.
• To avoid further loss of credibility, India needs to recognize that politics is a form of authenticity. This implies that effective diplomacy requires more than just presenting facts; it demands a deeper engagement with the audience's values and beliefs.
• India needs to move beyond mere damage control and focus on building long-term trust and credibility through consistent, transparent, and empathetic communication.
• It must also actively combat misinformation and disinformation, not just by refuting false claims but by promoting media literacy and critical thinking.
• The global narrative battleground demands a shift from reactive responses to proactive strategies that foster understanding and cooperation, transcending political and ideological divides.