India and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of Fisheries and Aquaculture during the official state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel.
Key Highlights of MoU
Objective:
The agreement aims to
- Strengthen India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector
- Promote technology-driven and sustainable practices
- Enhance the Blue Economy
- Improve livelihoods of coastal and fishing communities
It also envisages the establishment of new Indo–Israel Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and technical cooperation for setting up an oceanarium in India.
Key Areas of Cooperation:
It provides a comprehensive framework for cooperation across mutually identified priority areas
1. Advanced Aquaculture Technologies
- Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
- Water reuse technologies
- Automation-based farming
- Data-driven aquaculture management
2. Climate-Resilient & Biosecure Models
- Development of biosecure farming systems
- Climate-resilient aquaculture for water-scarce regions
- Adaptation strategies for climate-stressed areas
3. Aquatic Disease Management
- Novel therapeutics
- Non-invasive disease control methods
- Scientific approaches to improve disease resistance
Mariculture & Sustainable Marine Practices
- Seaweed-based aquaculture systems
- Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)
- Seaweed as biofilter
- Seaweed as alternative feed resource
- Environment-friendly fishing practices
- Marine resource conservation through technology
Capacity Building & Innovation
- Structured exchange programmes
- Training and exposure visits
- Expert-level collaboration
- Strengthening linkages between:
- Startups
- Research institutions
- Industry
Focus areas include water recycling, innovative aquaculture technologies, and product development through incubators and innovation ecosystems.
Institutional Mechanism
A Joint Working Group (JWG) will be constituted to:
- Facilitate implementation
- Review annual work plans
- Identify new cooperation areas
The JWG will:
- Meet annually (physical/virtual)
- Alternate between India and Israel
- Have designated nodal officers from both sides
About Blue Economy
Blue Economy refers to:
- Sustainable use of ocean resources
- Marine-based economic growth
- Livelihood generation
- Environmental sustainability
India’s focus areas under Blue Economy include:
- Fisheries
- Marine biotechnology
- Coastal tourism
- Renewable ocean energy