Status of fisheries management in the Indian Ocean: Key strategies for enhancing sustainability in the Bay of Bengal

The Indian Ocean covers 20 % of the world's oceans and has significant fisheries resources. It also faces complex management challenges due to its diverse and shared fish stocks. The fisheries in the region are predominantly small-scale and critical for food security, economy, and livelihoods. However, it is affected by several factors that affect its sustainability, including overexploitation, illegal fishing, climate change, and weak governance. This paper examines the role of Regional Fishery Bodies in managing these challenges. It highlights the need for enhanced regional cooperation, particularly in the Bay of Bengal, a microcosm of the broader issues related to fisheries management in the Indian Ocean. Effective fisheries management in the Bay of Bengal requires a shift from conventional fisheries management approaches to ecosystem-based management, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and international fisheries agreements. The paper proposes mechanisms for enhancing the management practices in the region. Implementing one or more of these strategies could improve resource sustainability, combat illegal fishing, and ensure that regional management frameworks are adapted to the unique ecological and socio-economic contexts of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.