Valuable Fishery Research Articles

Ecology, distribution, and recruitment of conch (Gastropoda: Strombidae) in intertidal zones

Macroinvertebrates from Family Strombidae locally known as ‘’sikad-sikad’’ are some of the major gleaned species in the intertidal areas. This study investigated the ecology, abundance, distribution, and recruitment of conch species of Family Strombidae in the three coastal barangays (Pandaraonan, Dolores, and Tando) of Guimaras Island. The ecological aspects were assessed for three habitat types (seagrass beds, bare sand, and edges of mangrove areas) within each barangay. A total of 319 conch individuals were identified belonging to seven species (Canarium erythrinum, Canarium labiatum, Canarium mutabile, Canarium urceus, Conomurex luhuanus, Gibberelus gibbosus, and Laevistrombus canarium). The distribution of these species varied across habitats but were found most abundant in Enhalus acoroides and Thalassia hemprichii seagrass beds with patchy distribution exhibited by regular or clumping patterns. Shell lengths ranged from 15–50 mm with C. mutabile being the smallest and C. luhuanus and L. canarium as the largest species. Temporal assessment at one site (i.e., seagrass beds of Dolores) showed no significant variation in the abundance and size of adult conch species across monitoring months. However, conch juveniles assessed showed increasing trend in shell length (5, 8, and 12 mm) but with decreasing density (103, 104, and 90 individuals/m2) from February to April, and June 2023, respectively. This study provides relevant information in the development of policies to ensure sustainability of conch as a valuable fisheries commodity.

Feeding ecology study of Asian redtail catfish, Hemibagrus nemurus (Teleostei: Bagridae), post-sediment flushing in Jenderal Soedirman Reservoir Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Wibowo DN, Sukmaninggrum S, Widyastuti A, Soedibya PHT, Rahayu NL. 2024. Feeding ecology study of Asian redtail catfish, Hemibagrus nemurus (Teleostei: Bagridae), post-sediment flushing in Jenderal Soedirman Reservoir Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 2315-2322. Hemibagrus nemurus Vallenciennes 1840 is among the valuable fisheries commodities in Banyumas District and led to high exploitation. Research on H. nemurus is essential for its conservation, including its feeding ecology. Feeding ecology studies of H. nemurus have been conducted previously, but the relative examination of this Asian redtail catfish is lacking in Jenderal Soedirman Reservoir, Central Java, Indonesia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the feeding ecology of H. nemurus, focusing on post-sediment flushing in the Jenderal Soedirman Reservoir in 2022. Specimens were collected at nine sampling sites in the reservoir during morning and evening sessions, with observed parameters including mouth position, intestine length ratio, intestine content, and the index of preponderance (IP). The results showed that H. nemurus had a subterminal mouth position as well as shorter to slightly longer intestines than the standard body length (SL). Based on the IP value, diets inside the intestine were dominated by animal materials, namely fish compounds. Hence H. nemurus seemed to be predatory considering its detected piscivorous habits. The identified mouth position, intestine length, and dominant diets were similar to the reports on the same species from other regions. These feeding ecology data would provide essential information for the fisheries and conservation of H. nemurus in Jenderal Soedirman Reservoir.

Modeling environmental effects on fishery landings: A case study of whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) in the Southwestern Atlantic shelf

Estuaries are very productive habitats that serve as spawning and nursery grounds for fisheries species. The Rio de la Plata (RdP) Estuary and its maritime front sustain valuable fisheries for Argentina and Uruguay. Micropogonias furnieri, the coastal fish species historically representing highest catches, has declined landings in recent decades. To enhance our understanding on how natural variability influences this resource and improves its management, we analysed the effect of environmental conditions on M. furnieri’s commercial landings in the long term using generalized linear and additive models (GLMs and GAMs). Explanatory variables, with up to a 10-year lag, included sea surface temperature, turbidity, salinity, wind, river runoff, and climatological indices: El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). Time-lagged analyses for single-covariate models reveal higher deviances explained (DE) at 2, 6, 7, and 8-year lags. Turbidity and salinity, followed by wind and temperature, are the most common variables affecting catches of M. furnieri for GLMs and GAMs. The absence of significant models with only climatological indices or river discharge indicates the impact of large-scale climate fluctuations and river runoff on the RdP Estuary conditions. The best-fitting GLM model includes SAM, turbidity, and wind (DE = 78.8%), whereas the GAM model includes turbidity and wind (DE = 86.4%). Sensitivity of M. furnieri’s catches to climatic signals (ENSO, SAM, SOI) is described for the first time. Our findings provide insights for authorities to implement management measures beyond fishing quotas encompassing environmental shifts in the long-term.

Let 'Em Grow: Scalloping Best Practices

Recreational scalloping is a popular summertime activity that attracts participants from far and wide to Florida's Gulf Coast. Coastal counties that serve as vessel launch points rely on this fishery for economic viability, but the biology of the bay scallop and the environmental stressors this species endures have led to limited populations of bay scallops remaining along Florida's Gulf Coast . Therefore, it is essential to implement best practices for harvesting bay scallops so that future generations can enjoy this marine resource activity. This publication gives recreational scallopers tips on how to sort through scallops in the water so that scallops that are too small are returned immediately to the same spot where they were taken. Improving harvesting techniques can help sustain this valuable fishery.

Spatial planning offshore wind energy farms in California for mediating fisheries and wildlife conservation impacts

Achieving a blue economy will require reconciling the value of emerging ocean uses with their impacts on the seascape and sectors with historical access to marine resources and areas. To meet this challenge, we developed an analytical framework for conducting marine spatial planning through tradeoff analysis, and applied it to prospective offshore wind energy development in the ∼974 km2 Morro Bay, California, USA Wind Energy Area (WEA). We generated spatial data layers estimating MW power production and impacts on fisheries value and marine wildlife conservation (seabird and cetacean populations) from wind farm development. We then quantified each sector's response to plans of development across the WEA and inside three leases recently acquired by the energy industry for prospective development. Finally, we integrated the sector response data into an analytical framework for mitigating sector tradeoffs with novel spatial planning solutions (maps of wind farm size, location, and configuration) that optimally maximize value to the emergent energy sector (MW power) while minimizing impacts to historical (fisheries and wildlife) sectors. We found that western sites in the WEA had the highest potential power production concurrent with the lowest impact on the historical sectors, revealing the eastern lease to be less efficient at optimally balancing the sector's objectives relative to the development of the central or western leases or the optimal spatial plans identified in the tradeoff analysis. Within a lease, tradeoff analysis found spatial planning able to generate out-sized savings in fisheries value with only modest losses in MW power – for example, by avoiding development in just 5% of the eastern lease to preserve nearly half its fisheries value and still generate 95% its total power potential. Small-scale development opportunities (e.g., a pilot project) with significant power potential and no fisheries impact were also identified, in this case by placing turbines in an area in the western lease with no fisheries value and high power production potential. These plans would also have a relatively low impact on the wildlife conservation sectors, due to decreases in vulnerability levels of both seabird and cetacean populations to turbines going from east to west across the WEA. Our results can inform site evaluation and permitting processes for wind energy development in the Morro Bay WEA. We also expect the tradeoff analysis framework we developed to provide a simple and actionable analytical tool for supporting marine spatial planning of offshore wind energy and other emerging blue economy activities from a balanced perspective that values emerging uses of marine resources alongside existing socio-economic and conservation interests.

The global nutritional value of recreational inland fisheries.

The global nutritional value of recreational inland fisheries.

Protein hydrolysate and oil from fish waste reveal potential as dog food ingredients.

The increased fish consumption by the growing human population in the world translates into an increase in fish waste. The reintroduction of these fish by-products into food and feed chains presents economic benefits and contributes to counteracting their negative environmental impact. Under this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the dietary inclusion of fish hydrolysate and oil obtained from fish waste (experimental diet) in substitution of shrimp hydrolysate and salmon oil (control diet) mainly imported from third countries on palatability, apparent total tract digestibility, fecal characteristics and metabolites, blood fatty acid profile, flatulence, and coat quality of adult dogs. A two-bowl test was performed to evaluate palatability by the pairwise comparison between the two diets. A feeding trial was conducted according to a crossover design with two diets (control and experimental diets), six adult Beagle dogs per diet, and two periods of 6 weeks each. The replacement of shrimp hydrolysate and salmon oil with fish hydrolysate and oil did not affect the first diet approach and taste, as well as the intake ratio. Generally, the digestibility of dry matter, nutrients, and energy was not affected by diet, but the intake of digestible crude protein (CP) and ether extract was higher, respectively, with the control and the experimental diet. The higher intake of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid with the experimental diet was reflected in a higher content of these long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and the omega-3 index of red blood cells, but it did not affect coat quality. The significantly higher intake of digestible CP with the control diet might have contributed to the higher fecal ammonia-N and valerate concentrations. Daily fecal output and characteristics were similar between diets. Overall, results suggest that fish hydrolysate and oil from the agrifood industry might constitute sustainable functional ingredients for dog feeding while adding value for wild fisheries, aquaculture, and fish farming under a circular economy approach and reducing dependence on imports from third countries with a high carbon footprint.

Discretion rather than rules in multiple-species fisheries

This paper evaluates the bioeconomic performance of individual fishing quota (IFQ) regulations in multiple-species fisheries. In our model, a manager chooses the aggregate quotas under uncertainty over the true stock abundances of two jointly-harvested fish species. Fishers conduct harvest operations under full knowledge of the species-specific productivities of fishing gear. We derive the profit maximizing fishing mortality and economic rent outcomes implemented by fishers under various regulatory designs. We compare bioeconomic performance of an IFQ regulation with discretion over the mix of harvested species against an IFQ regulation that bans at-sea discarding. Both regulations eliminate discards. Discretion allows closer alignment between fisher implemented outcomes and those that maximize long term expected fishery value. Incorporating discretion into regulatory designs provides new prospects for improving fisheries management.

Rapid transformation in aquatic food value chains in three Nigerian states

IntroductionNigeria is Africa’s most populous country, third largest fish producer, and second largest aquaculture producer. There have been numerous studies of aquaculture and fisheries in Nigeria, but no study to date has analyzed aquaculture and capture fisheries value chains together, while giving equal weight to all value chain segments and systematically capturing information on temporal trends in value chain structure, conduct, and performance. This paper does so.MethodsWe conducted a structured, qualitative, rapid reconnaissance survey of 180 actors from eight segments of the aquatic food value chain in three Nigerian states with contrasting geographies, Ebonyi, Kebbi, and Oyo.ResultsResults particularly important for future research and policy are as follows. (1) Partial vertical integration is a common feature of the organization of firms in all value chain segments, as a risk reduction strategy to overcome market imperfections and frictions. Scarcity and high cost of imported intermediate inputs is stimulating local innovation and import substitution manufacturing of feeds and fabricated items. (2) Inter-sectoral spillovers from the poultry industry have hastened the development of fish value chains, while improvements in power supply have enabled the expansion of cold storage capacity, facilitating the geographical lengthening of frozen fish value chains. (3) Rapid technological and/or institutional change is occurring in all value chain segments, including those usually viewed as traditional, such as processing and fishing. Logistics services are becoming more specialized and sophisticated, and digital communications technologies including social media play an increasingly important role in value chain coordination and marketing. (4) Increasing opportunity costs of time drive demand for convenience foods such as smoked and fried fish, which require little further preparation and can be stored at room temperature. Demand for farmed catfish is linked to growing consumption of food away from home at bars and restaurants. (5) Significant opportunities exist to improve the performance of value chains in terms of gender equity, environmental impacts, and food safety.

Rediscovery of small-scale fisheries in the era of crises

This article analyses the role of small-scale fisheries in the era of crises that increase fisheries’ vulnerability. Crises may also trigger a reconsideration of the value of small-scale fisheries. Thus, our main research questions are twofold: 1) How do the recent crises directly affect small-scale fisheries? and 2) What are the opportunities for reinventing the societal and environmental benefits of small-scale fisheries? Answers to the research questions are based on a selection of interviews, email inquiry, research articles and reports in the context of Finnish small-scale fisheries. By focusing on these fisheries, operated in a Northern European welfare state, we study the potential that the new turbulent and uncertain circumstances could lead to acknowledgement of the multifunctional character of small-scale fisheries. The results show that climate change, Covid-19 pandemic and Russian invasion of Ukraine have challenged the resilience of Finnish small-scale fishing livelihood, albeit moderately. The prospects for new policies triggered by these crises stem from acknowledgement of small-scale fisheries’ contribution to food security, environmental benefits and short supply chains. The best way to secure fish-based food security and sustainability during crises, is to keep the fishing sector and the production and distribution chains vital in normal conditions. We conclude that in a society like Finland the rediscovery of small-scale fisheries’ future necessitates wide societal and political discussion about the pros and cons of the livelihood, together with inclusive governance that recognizes the multifunctional roles of small-scale fisheries in the era of crises.

Co-designing transformative ocean sustainability narratives to address complex human-environmental challenges facing coastal fisherwomen: An evidence-based study

Marine fishing is paramount to the provision of sustainable coastal livelihood welfare; especially in the global South. To coastal women, marine fishing avails multiplier social-economic benefits; notably employment, food, and income. Sustaining the innumerable benefits of marine fishing is a conduit towards progressive fisherwomen empowerment and the attainment of transformative ocean sustainability targets. However, in most coastal regions, increasing evidence of human-environmental challenges is blanketing the ability of fisherwomen to benefit from marine fishing and, this is worsened by the perpetuation of social barriers to fisherwomen's inclusion in sustainable coastal fisheries value chains. In addition, there is limited research on how to co-design transformative actions to reduce these challenges partly due to the use of top-down approaches and frameworks that are largely complex and less inclusive. Our study aims to co-design transformative ocean sustainability narratives to address the complex human-environmental challenges by using local perspectives of coastal fisherwomen. We systematically reviewed 38 documents mainly focusing on marine fisherwomen in Kerala and used a micro-level community participatory approach; involving Focus Group Discussions with 43 fisherwomen in Alappad in Kerala, India. Review findings revealed that a combination of human-environmental challenges is still prevalent. However, in Alappad, three human-induced systemic barriers predominate: lack of support from people in their own Panchayat, seasonal jobs, and road problem. Through co-designing, fisherwomen in Alappad proposed a novel pathway involving ten steps. This revealed that coastal fisherwomen can identify key systemic challenges that hinder their empowerment and promotion of sustainable ocean practices. Using perspectives and narratives of local fisherwomen could be key in breaking systemic barriers to fisherwomen inclusion in not only fishing but also, in other coastal areas and/or sectors and thus could help in developing collaborative ocean sustainability and governance interventions.

Assessing the Technical and Economic Viability of Galvanizing Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) Traps

Commercial harvesting of snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) began in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, in 1967. Today, the fishery consists of 2188 active fishing licenses and has grown into the province’s most economically valuable fishery. Snow crabs are captured using conical traps consisting of a mild carbon steel frame, hard plastic entry funnel and a jacket of polyethylene netting. The frames of these traps corrode over time, which is expedited by being deployed in marine environments and stored on land near the ocean when not in use. As a result, there is interest within the community to increase the longevity of crab traps. One solution is to galvanize the steel frames prior to installing the funnel and netting. However, before harvesters transition to galvanized traps, two questions must be answered. Will the use of galvanized steel negatively impact catch rates? Will the life cycle of a crab trap be extended sufficiently to justify the additional cost of galvanizing? This study employed a generalized linear mixed model to evaluate the catch of legal-sized male crabs (CPUE) during the commercial fishery as a function of three trap frame treatments (old traditional, new traditional and new galvanized). We also assessed the economic viability of galvanizing trap frames by evaluating the life cycle cost (LCC) of traditional and galvanized traps to the harvester. The LCC was calculated over a range of inflation (0–6%) and discount (3–20%) rates. Our results found no significant difference in CPUE between new traps (traditional vs. galvanized) and concluded that except during instances of very high discount rates (12.9–19.9%), it is economically favourable to galvanize crab trap frames.

Bioinformatic Analysis Strategy in Restriction Enzyme Selection for Indonesian Panulirus homarus Identification by PCR-RFLP

The spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) is a valuable fishery commodity in Indonesia, particularly in its juvenile life form. However, identifying the early life forms of the spiny lobster can be challenging, as it exhibits similar morphological features compared to the juveniles of other Panilurid lobsters. Molecular-based identification, specifically DNA sequencing, is the best method for species identification, but it requires advanced instruments and is costly. An alternative method is proposed here, using the PCR-RFLP technique, which is low-cost, rapid, and has standard instrumentation requirements. The challenge with this method is selecting the appropriate restriction enzyme to determine the targeted species’ identity. This study proposes using the REfind (https://github.com/indriatmoko07/REfind), R package to select the best restriction enzyme for identifying P. homarus, applicable to other species. The bioinformatics workflow used in this study successfully identified BseSI or BmgI as the most suitable restriction enzymes among 739 restriction enzymes to differentiate P. homarus from other Panilurid species. This result was validated by employing a wet lab test using the BseSI enzyme and successfully validated the bioinformatics result. These findings may be useful for biologists in conducting various studies that require rapid, low-cost, and identification of specific species in the future.

Blue Economy dalam Upaya Pengentasan Kemiskinan Masyarakat Pesisir di Indonesia

The potential for utilization of the Indonesian maritime sector is very large, but it has not been utilized optimally. In efforts to develop the maritime sector, Indonesia faces the challenge of improving the economy in the maritime sector, but also has to maintain existing sustainability, which is stated in the blue economy concept. This research aims to determine the effect of the number of fishermen and the number of marine capture fishing vessels on poverty through the volume of capture fisheries production and the value of capture fisheries production in Indonesia. This research examines 34 provinces in Indonesia for the 2021 period using path analysis techniques. The results of the research show that the number of fishermen has a significant influence on the volume of capture fisheries production, the number of fishermen has no significant influence on the value of capture fisheries production, the number of capture fisheries vessels has a significant influence on the volume of capture fisheries production, the number of capture fisheries vessels has no significant influence on the value of capture fisheries production, the volume of capture fisheries production has a significant effect on the production value of capture fisheries, the production value of capture fisheries does not have a significant effect on gross regional domestic product, and the production value of capture fisheries does not have a significant effect on environmental quality in Indonesia.

Range-wide contrast in management outcomes for transboundary Northeast Pacific sablefish

Sablefish ( Anoplopoma fimbria) of the Northeast Pacific support a highly mobile, valuable fishery resource currently managed as three separate populations. Recent work has shown sablefish to be genetically mixed; have high movement rates; and have synchronous biomass trends, including recent declines. A management strategy evaluation was developed with stakeholders and scientists from three regions to investigate whether spatially structured management paradigms might result in better conservation and economic outcomes. The management strategy evaluation includes a transboundary operating model to represent spatial population dynamics including movement and a delay–difference estimation method with varying spatial complexities and potential stratifications, and harvest control rules. Mismatches in the spatial scale of management and the underlying biological units pose a crucial risk of localized depletion in the southern U.S. West Coast. This study presents one of the first transboundary, spatially-explicit management strategy evaluations conditioned to actual data. These results underscore the importance of spatial management strategy evaluation tools and implications when regional management is conducted in isolation. Future work should incorporate additional spatial hypotheses and investigate the drivers of recruitment patterns range-wide.

Sustainable Fishery Value Chain (SFVC): Study Case in Tilapia Industry

This research is built on the concept of sustainable value chains, where a framework for sustainable value chain analysis emerges that covers not only economic aspects but also includes environmental and social impacts in a collaborative model of value chain management. It explores the dimensions on which value chain sustainability should focus. It illustrates how and why it is necessary to take a broader perspective in ensuring the internal economic sustainability of the chain in line with its external socio-environmental consequences. This research aims to analyze the sustainability of the tilapia processing value chain. This research uses the Multi-Dimensional Scaling analysis method supported by Rap-fish software. The Rapfish methodology is a flexible technique that rapidly assesses fisheries status by integrating ecological and human factors according to identified norms. The results of this research show that the sustainability of the tilapia processing value chain is considered entirely sustainable from economic, social, and environmental aspects, with a sufficient sustainability index of 74.40%. The sustainability of the value chain relies on four key actors: tilapia cultivators, collectors, processors, and distributors. The sustainable tilapia processing value chain strategy in North Sumatra can limit floating net cages by considering the environmental carrying capacity and supported by suitable policies and active stakeholder participation in community-based legal institutions. This research found this is a strong sustainability concept if implemented with better governance and policy management in the tilapia industry value chain.

Learning from positive deviants in fisheries

AbstractDespite progress in the management of assessed fish populations, many countries lag behind international commitments to restore overexploited stocks to healthy abundances. Here we use a mixed‐methods positive deviance approach, also known as ‘bright spot’ analysis, to understand what drives the successful governance of exploited species by learning from positive outliers, or ‘deviants’. We use Canada as a case study, identifying factors driving the abundance of 230 commercially exploited fish and invertebrate populations, of which only 28% were classified at healthy abundance in 2022. We first applied a generalized linear model to test how diverse socio‐ecological fishery attributes relate to stock health. We found healthier stocks are positively and significantly correlated with certain management regions, more selective gears, eco‐certification, and high fishery value. Counterintuitively, healthier stocks were also associated with high inherent fishing vulnerability and the absence of reference points. We then used fishery expert surveys and interviews to investigate the social and institutional characteristics of stocks healthier than expected, given their circumstances. We found that fisheries targeting these positive outliers have lower conflict among users, balanced stakeholder involvement in data collection and decision‐making, and improved accounting of mortality sources. Lessons from these positive deviants can be applied to improve underperforming management systems that are struggling to reverse overexploitation in Canada and elsewhere. More generally, we suggest that a positive deviance approach, already used in public health, could be a promising tool to learn about successful fisheries management interventions, and the diverse actors responsible for ensuring these interventions are successful.

An update on the biological parameters of the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea

Abstract The Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, is one of the most valuable fishery resources in many coastal countries of the Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. In the Mediterranean Sea, several stocks are being overexploited, with ecological, economic, and social consequences. To perform an adequate stock assessment and provide guidance on maximum sustainable yield, reliable biological parameters of the species are required. Considering that biological parameters may change over time in overexploited populations, in the present study, we updated key biological parameters for the N. norvegicus stock of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea: size at which 50% (L50) of females were in reproductive condition, length–weight relationship, and individual size structure. Moreover, daily landings were combined with the spatial position of the vessels tracked by their Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), to obtain information on the geographical distribution and time series of Landings Per Unit Effort (LPUE), as well as total landings from 2008 to 2021. Our results suggest overexploitation of the resource, revealing a severe reduction in size at 50% maturity, an earlier spawning and brooding period, and a clear decrease of LPUE over time.

Empirical study on factors influencing farmers' income in Zhaoqing City

A significant portion of farmers' income comes from the primary industry. Based on time series data from 1985 to 2020, this study empirically examines the relationship between farmers' real income in Zhaoqing City and the actual output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, and service industry using methods such as unit root test, cointegration analysis, elimination of multicollinearity, and elimination of serial correlation. The results show that: · Animal husbandry and fishery have no significant impact on farmers' real income in Zhaoqing City; · Agriculture, forestry, and the agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery service industry have a significant impact on farmers' real income in Zhaoqing City. Specifically, for every 100 million yuan increase in the output value of agriculture, farmers' per capita disposable income increases by an average of 0.0717%; for every 100 million yuan increase in the output value of forestry, farmers' per capita disposable income increases by an average of 0.1056%; for every 100 million yuan increase in the output value of the agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery service industry, farmers' per capita disposable income increases by an average of 0.0858%; · The impact has a significant positive effect with a lag of 3 years. Based on the research findings, some policy recommendations are provided.

ROLE OF WOMEN IN FISHERIES SECTOR IN INDIA

The pivotal role of the women in the fisheries sector, highlight their multifaceted contribution to various stages of the industry. It delves in to the socio-economic impact of womens involvement, emphasizing their role in sustainable Practices, community development, and the challenges they face. Need for gender-inclusive polices to empower women in Fisheries and enhance the overall resilience and success of the sector. Additionally, it addresses challenges faced by women in the fisheries industry, such as limited access to recourses and gender- based decimation. By emphasizing the need for gender-inclusive Policies and empowering initiatives and sustainable future for women in the Indian fisheries sector. By employing a Qualitative and Quantitative research Approach, research examines the involvement of women across various segments of the fishery value chain, including harvesting, processing, and marketing. It investigates the socio-economic factors influencing women’s participation, the impact of their involvement on household livelihoods, and the existing policy frameworks supporting or hindering their empowerment. The findings aim to inform strategies for fostering gender-inclusive policies and initiatives to enhances the overall sustainability and resilience of the Indian fisheries sector. KEYWORDS: Empowerment, Gender equality, Livelihoods, sustainable fisheries, community development.