Bay of Bengal (BOB) Inter-Governmental Organisation

Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) promotes sustainable fisheries, marine resource management, and regional cooperation among Bay of Bengal nations. Learn about its initiatives, member countries, and efforts to enhance coastal livelihoods.

Context: India has assumed the chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation at the 13th Governing Council Meeting in Male, Maldives.

The Indian delegation, led by Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, emphasized India’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in marine resource management, capacity building, policy advocacy, and addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

About BOB Inter-Governmental Organisation

It is a regional fisheries advisory body established in 2003 to promote sustainable coastal fisheries development and management in the Bay of Bengal region.
Its primary mandate is to enhance cooperation among member countries and provide technical and management advisory services.

Member Countries: Bangladesh, India, Maldives & Sri Lanka.
- Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand participate as cooperating non-contracting parties.
BOB-IGO evolved from the Bay of Bengal Programme initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 1979.

Objectives of BOBP-IGO

Enhance Marine Fisheries Management: Promoting awareness and knowledge of effective marine fisheries practices among member countries.
Capacity Building: Providing training and education to improve skills in the fisheries sector.
Technology Transfer: Facilitating the adoption of appropriate technologies for small-scale fisheries development.
Information Networking: Establishing regional networks to share information and best practices.
Women’s Participation: Encouraging the involvement of women in the marine fisheries value chain.

Through collaborative efforts, BOBP-IGO aims to enhance the livelihoods of small-scale fishers, ensure sustainable fisheries management, and contribute to the overall development of the fisheries sector in the Bay of Bengal region.