Bay of Bengal countries celebrate small-scale fisheries on World Fisheries Day

TO mark World Fisheries Day 2025, Sri Lanka and countries bordering the Bay of Bengal came together to celebrate the contributions of small-scale fisheries to coastal livelihoods, food security, and sustainable development.

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This year’s celebrations are especially significant as they coincide with FAO’s 80th anniversary, eight decades dedicated to support sustainable fisheries, food security, and coastal livelihoods worldwide. The event was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Bay of Bengal Program Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), in collaboration with the Government of Sri Lanka. The celebration brought together representatives from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, along with fisher organisations, partners, and local institutions, to strengthen regional cooperation in the fisheries sector.

“Sri Lanka is proud to host this event,” said Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. “More than 4.3 million Sri Lankans depend directly or indirectly on fisheries for their livelihoods, and our ocean, rivers and lakes. By working together with our partners, we are advancing shared goals for sustainability, resilience and prosperity, ensuring that our coastal communities can thrive for generations to come.”

World Fisheries Day 2025