A Case for a Human Rights-based Approach to Indian Aquaculture Systems: New Publication from ICSF

The International Collective in Support of Fisworkers (ICSF) has released a new publication, titled “A Case for a Human Rights-based Approach to Indian Aquaculture Systems: A Literature Review” by Neena Elizabeth Koshy.

As the new sunrise sector in fish production, aquaculture is particularly important for developing countries of Asia which have a large population dependent on the sector. Though a plethora of literature is available on aquaculture, there is a lacuna in specific studies on the human-rights aspects of the sector. This study is an effort to focus on this void and the facets that need to be examined if aquaculture is to become sustainable and be able to contribute towards various development goals.

As human dependence on aquaculture is very high, the study emphasises the need and importance of placing a human rights-based framework at the centrestage of the future growth of aquaculture in India. Such a framework will steer the development of the sector towards an environmentally sound and socially just path.

The principal objectives of the study are to:

• understand the strengths of legislation, guidelines, schemes and other government initiatives with regard to the defence of human rights;

   

• review and analyse the environmental and social impacts of aquaculture systems as found in the literature review; and

   

• suggest a set of recommendations that could help fill the gaps in the current systems as identified by this study.

This monograph will be of use to researchers, scientists, fishworker organisations, environmentalists and anyone interested in aquaculture development in India.