COOPERATION IN FISHERIES AMONG THE BIMST-ECCOUNTRIES

This article examines the potential for and challenges of cooperation in the fisheries sector among the member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). It highlights the importance of the fisheries sector for the food security, livelihoods, and economies of the Bay of Bengal littoral states. The study identifies the shared challenges facing the sector, primarily the problem of overfishing and the depletion of marine fish stocks due to unsustainable fishing practices. The research argues that since many important fish stocks are transboundary and straddle the Exclusive Economic Zones of multiple member states, a cooperative regional approach to fisheries management is an ecological and economic necessity. The paper explores various potential areas for cooperation, including joint stock assessments, the harmonization of fishing regulations, and collaborative efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The analysis concludes that the fisheries sector is a prime area for demonstrating the value of BIMSTEC cooperation.

The Bay of Bengal is one of the world's most productive marine ecosystems, and the fisheries sector is a vital pillar of the economies of the BIMSTEC member states. However, this vital resource is under severe threat from over-exploitation. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the imperative for regional cooperation in the fisheries sector. The study begins by outlining the scale of the problem, presenting data on declining fish catches and the scientific evidence of stock depletion. The core of the article is an exploration of the various avenues for cooperation within the BIMSTEC framework. It makes a strong case for the creation of a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) for the Bay of Bengal, which would be empowered to conduct scientific stock assessments and to set sustainable catch limits for shared fish stocks. The paper also discusses the critical need for cooperation in monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) to combat the widespread problem of IUU fishing, which undermines national management efforts and leads to huge economic losses. It explores the potential for joint patrols and the sharing of information and technology, such as vessel monitoring systems. The findings suggest that the benefits of cooperation are immense, not only for the long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector but also for building broader maritime security cooperation. The paper concludes that fisheries management is a "low-hanging fruit" for BIMSTEC, an area where the logic of cooperation is so compelling that it should be a top priority for the organization.