The Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) conducted a three-day Write Shop (06–08 May 2026) at its Secretariat in Chennai to refine draft Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) plans for two Fisheries Management Units (FMUs) in India under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and EDIF project.

The draft plans cover the Chennai Trawl Fishery and the Kanyakumari Lobster Fishery in Tamil Nadu. These were prepared by ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Chennai Regional Centre, and ICAR-CMFRI, Thoothukudi Regional Centre, respectively, and were reviewed through technical discussions involving scientists, government officials, and other stakeholders.

Welcoming the participants, Dr. P. Krishnan, Director, BOBP-IGO, said that the plans are expected to be finalised by May 2026. He noted that the Government of Tamil Nadu has nominated State EAFM Coordinators to support the development and implementation process and expressed hope that the Write Shop would help shape an actionable roadmap for the two FMUs.

Dr. E. Vivekanandan, Senior Scientific Consultant, BOBP-IGO, briefed and guided the participants on the structure and components of an effective EAFM plan and provided technical inputs to strengthen the draft plans and make them implementation-ready.

The Write Shop was attended by scientists from the ICAR-CMFRI Chennai and Thoothukudi Regional Centres, officers from the Department of Fisheries, and representatives of partner NGOs working with fishing communities in the two fisheries.