Context: India and Israel signed a Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent to deepen cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture during the Global Summit on Blue Food Security 2026 in Eilat.
About India–Israel Joint Declaration on Fisheries and Aquaculture:
What it is?
- A bilateral declaration between India and Israel to strengthen collaboration in fisheries and aquaculture through technology transfer, joint research, innovation, and capacity building, aligned with sustainable and climate-resilient development goals.
Key features:
- Advanced aquaculture technologies: Cooperation on RAS, biofloc, cage culture, aquaponics, mariculture, seaweed farming, and aquarium systems.
- Genetic & seed improvement: Joint work on high-yield species, pathogen-free seed, brood stock development, and genetic enhancement programmes.
- Water & resource efficiency: Adoption of Israeli water-saving and water-management technologies in aquaculture systems.
- Innovation & startups: Promotion of startups and R&D ecosystems to advance the Blue Economy.
- Monitoring & traceability: Technology-driven fisheries monitoring, data systems, transparency, and traceability for responsible fishing.
- Capacity building: Training in deep-sea fishing, vessel design, coastal aquaculture, processing, marketing, and infrastructure (harbours, landing centres).
Significance:
- Enhances productivity and resilience of fisheries, supporting nutrition and coastal livelihoods.
- Integrates technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship to unlock ocean-based growth.
- Promotes efficient water use, sustainable practices, and ecosystem conservation.
Relevance for UPSC Examination
- GS Paper II (Governance & International Relations)
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- Bilateral cooperation, sectoral diplomacy
- Food security and livelihood governance
- Capacity building and institutional collaboration
- GS Paper III (Economy, Agriculture & Environment)
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- Blue Economy and fisheries development
- Aquaculture technology, sustainability
- Marine resource conservation and traceability
