POOMPUHAR: MAYILADUTHURAI, JANUARY 2025

The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation proudly marks the 15th anniversary of the Fish for All Research and Training Centre, a landmark initiative dedicated to fostering resilience, sustainability, and progress in India’s coastal communities. Inaugurated on December 26, 2009, with the generous support of TATA Trusts, the Fish for All Centre was born from the ashes of the 2004 tsunami. Its mission was clear: to address the urgent need for sustainable coastal development, strengthen disaster preparedness, and restore the livelihoods of the fishing community most affected by the tragedy.

Fifteen years later, the Fish for All stands as a testament to the transformative power of community-focused research, technology, and collaboration. From its base in Poompuhar, the center has extended its impact across 22 coastal districts in five states, touching over 3 lakh lives and ushering in a new era of sustainable fisheries, marine conservation and community livelihoods. Through the Fisher Friend Mobile App, a ground-breaking technological intervention developed by the centre,  that has provided real-time weather updates, early warning alerts, and fishing zone guidance to fishers across India.

The significance of the Fish for All lies not only in its programs but in the far-reaching change it has catalyzed. By restoring marine ecosystems through initiatives such as the installation of artificial reefs, the center has enhanced biodiversity, increased fish production by 25%, and improved the incomes of small-scale fishers. The demonstration and adoption of bycatch reduction devices of fishers and the retrieval of over 33.3 tons of ghost gear from the ocean has saved countless marine species, reinforcing the center’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.

Equally vital has been the center’s role in empowering coastal communities, especially women and marginilized fisher and fish farmers. Through its skill-building and livelihood programs, the Fish for All Centre has transformed the lives of many fisherwomen and men, turning them into entrepreneurs and leaders. Collectives like the Vetri Paavai, Bharathidasan, and Kaveri Fishers Producer Company Limited have demonstrated the success of collectiveness, creating jobs and generating significant income for coastal families.

As we celebrate this milestone, the Fish for All Centre reaffirms its commitment to addressing emerging challenges such as climate change, marine biodiversity conservation, and equitable resource management. This 15th-anniversary celebration is not just a reflection of past achievements but a call to action for a future where coastal communities are more resilient, informed, and empowered.

The event will bring together policymakers, fishers, researchers, and other key stakeholders to honor the center’s journey and its contributions to building a sustainable blue economy.

For more information

Director
Fish for All Research and Training Centre
Poompuhar
velvizhi@mssrf.res.in