The Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (APSBB) on Wednesday announced its efforts to extend the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism to marine resources, aiming to ensure that a portion of export revenues reaches coastal fishing communities.
Recognition of Fishermen as Guardians of the Sea
Addressing a press conference after a workshop on marine ABS in Vijayawada, APSBB Chairman Neelayapalem Vijay Kumar stated that the proposal seeks to recognize fishermen as "guardians of the sea." This recognition would ensure that industries utilizing marine biological resources share a portion of their revenues with local communities. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
Expert Committee to Inventory Marine Species
NBA Chairman Veerendra Tiwari informed that an expert committee has been constituted to prepare a comprehensive inventory of marine species. This inventory will facilitate the implementation of ABS in the marine sector. The authority oversees the implementation of ABS provisions under the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023.
Vijay Kumar elaborated that the mechanism aims to transfer a fair and equitable share of marine resource wealth to more than 3,000 coastal Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in the state. While ABS is already implemented in sectors such as forestry and agriculture, efforts are now underway to extend the framework to marine ecosystems.
Andhra Pradesh's Performance in ABS
Highlighting the state's performance, Vijay Kumar noted that Andhra Pradesh has received ₹97 crore out of the ₹145 crore distributed nationwide under ABS so far, largely from red sanders and agriculture-related resources. Future efforts will focus on generating similar benefits from marine resources.
Concerns Over Marine Pollution
Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board Chairman P. Krishnaiah raised concerns about marine pollution and destructive fishing practices, including bottom trawling, which are impacting fish stocks. He emphasized the need for sustainable practices to preserve marine biodiversity.
