World Fisherpeople's DayOur Land, Our Waters, Our Lives: The Small-Scale Fishers demands

The small-scale fishers of Bangladesh organized a rally in Bhola, Bangladesh in the eve of celebration of 21 November World Fisherpeoples Day.

The fishers said that this day born out of the struggle of various traditional and artisanal fishing communities to protect our coasts, rivers, and oceans.

This day is a powerful reminder of the role fishing communities play in safeguarding the natural world and sustaining life on earth by providing affordable nutrition. 

World Fisher people’s Day is more than just a commemoration - it is a recognition of fishers' contributions to our economy and polity and is a collective celebration of life - one that sustains the riverine and coastal ecosystems and preserves the cultures built around them.

This day honors the invaluable work of fishers, whose dedication supports not only our food security but also the diverse and vibrant cultures intertwined with our waters. 

November 21 signifies the recognition of the voice of fisher communities, the dignity of our work, knowledge, skills, songs, and the celebration of our being. This is the day when the Fisher peoples across the world came together in New Delhi in 1997, to initiate a global fisher platform, which later became World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP).

Nov 21 is of paramount significance for fishing communities, and it unites us through shared need for solidarity and a celebration of our way of life. More than a hundred countries and international bodies like UN have recognized this as the day of our people! 

As we approach World Fisher peoples' Day on 21 November 2024, we call upon everyone to come together, raise the blue flag as a symbol of our unity and respect to Mother Sea, and honor the immeasurable contributions of fishers, whose work and resilience won us our freedoms. We are honored that the Indian Fisherwomen Assembly, held recently at TKC, gave a call to celebrate November 5th as the International Day of Fisherwomen - and WFFP has upheld this. 

We invite fisher people and their organizations to unite under the theme 'Our Coast, Our Waters, Our Lives' and organize programs and mass outreach efforts. This Nov 21 must serve as a powerful reminder that the future of our environment is inseparable from the survival of our people and the eco-habitats we protect. 

They called that “Join Us and Act Now”

1. Take the Pledge to Protect Our Rivers, Seas and Coasts We urge everyone to make a collective pledge to honor and protect our land and waters. Together, we must pledge to protect our territories and take a stand against the industrial waste, plastics, and untreated sewage that are polluting our rivers, seas, and oceans. We must demand stronger protections for our land and waters and the communities that live on them. 

2. Celebrate the Contributions of Fisher peoples On this day, let us shine a light on the vital work of fishers, the guardians of our seas and rivers. We invite everyone to celebrate their knowledge, skills, and resilience. Recognize their role in sustaining food security, protecting biodiversity, and preserving the cultural heritage of coastal and riverine communities. 

3. Advocate for the Rights of fisher people On World Fisher people’s Day, we amplify our call to governments and institutions to urgently address key issues facing fishing communities: •Resource depletion: Ban destructive fishing practices and protect vital marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Displacement: Stand against the forced relocation of fisher communities due to coastal development, tourism projects, and industrial encroachment. •Pollution: End the contamination of our rivers, seas, and oceans by industrial waste, plastics, and sewage. Climate Change: Advocate for adaptive measures to help fisher communities cope with the effects of climate change, ensuring adequate support and compensation for those most affected. 

4. Organize Screenings and Storytelling Events We encourage individuals and organizations to host screening of films and documentaries, and storytelling sessions that highlight the struggles, resilience, and triumphs of fishing communities. These events can raise awareness about the challenges fishers face and foster solidarity. 

5. Stand in Solidarity with Palestine We call upon all fisher communities to show solidarity with the people of Palestine in their ongoing fight for justice, freedom, and dignity. From the rivers to the seas, let us unite for justice, recognizing that the struggles for water and for freedom are interconnected