Countries around the Bay of Bengal are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance fisheries management, combat illegal fishing, and ensure the sustainability of marine resources crucial for millions of livelihoods. In a recent high-level policy dialogue in Mumbai, senior officials and experts from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives discussed the transformative potential of AI in fisheries governance.
The meeting, organized by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), focused on practical AI applications and the development of a regional roadmap for technology-driven fisheries governance. Dr. Sanjay Pandey, Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries in India, highlighted initiatives like the ReALCraft digital vessel registration platform, which has unified monitoring for over 225,000 fishing vessels, enabling real-time information sharing and integration with national platforms.
India also shared plans to implement AI tools for vessel behavior analysis, fisheries intelligence, traceability systems, safety advisories, and combating illegal fishing activities. Experts emphasized that leveraging oceanographic data, weather forecasts, and real-time catch information could enhance fish catch efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and improve fisher safety significantly.
Scientists from institutions like the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), along with representatives from SAARC, BIMSTEC, and other regional bodies, explored the emerging applications of AI in the fisheries sector. Dr. J.K. Jena from ICAR highlighted AI’s role in enhancing seafood traceability, quality assurance, and transparency in fisheries value chains.
Dr. Grinson George, Director of CMFRI, showcased innovations such as automated fish landing estimation, species identification through mobile apps, and AI tools for marine conservation and aquaculture. Despite global fisheries facing challenges like overfishing and climate change, experts believe AI can significantly improve monitoring, surveillance, and decision-making in the sector, emphasizing the importance of strong institutions, reliable data systems, and stakeholder involvement for successful AI implementation.
Dr. P. Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, emphasized the critical role of sustainable fisheries governance in the Bay of Bengal region, supporting the food security and livelihoods of nearly half a billion people. He highlighted AI as a promising solution to enhance oversight and bridge information gaps, especially in the region’s extensive small-scale fisheries sector.
