A three day Workshop on Fisheries and Aquaculture Response in Emergencies in Sundarban region was organised at kakdwip by ICAR-CIFE from 25-27 February, 2016. The aim of workshop was to enhance the quality and accountability of preparedness and response to emergencies affecting the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Sundarban region as it is the largest delta of the world at the bottom of West Bengal, is ecologically marginalised by cyclone, high salinity of soil, water logging and lack of infrastructure.

A total of 24 participants attended the workshop representing NGOs Society for Socioeconomic and Ecological Development (SEED), Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), Rabindra Nath Mandal Tagore Society for Rural Development (RMCT), Paribesh Unnayan Parishad (PUPA) and Sundarbans Dreams. Participants were also from Sasya Shyamala Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Nimpith Ramkrishna Ashram Krishi Vigyan Kendra, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences (WBUAFS) and Sundarban Development Board.

The learning objectives of the workshop were to understand the relationship between fisheries, aquaculture, emergency, food security and livelihoods, assess post-disaster needs in the fisheries and aquaculture sector using the FAO Guidelines for the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector on Damage and Needs Assessments in Emergencies, identify appropriate best practice responses and standards in emergency interventions in fisheries and aquaculture according to the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Emergency Response Guidance. Participants appreciated the method and structure in which the workshop was conducted as it was interactive and participatory.