The National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers (Inland) has opened its Bihar chapter. Around 50 representatives of fishing communities from about 12 districts of the state alongwith leaders of novements and organisations working on environment, water and fisheries issues met at Patna on 9th and 10th May 2018 to discuss the main problems facing the small scale fishing communities of the state and the ways and means to address the same. They decided on an Action Road Map for the next six (6) months and also formed an Ad-hoc Committee to take the activities forward. The State Level Workshop was inaugurated by Sri Rana Ranvir Singh, Minister in Charge Department of Cooperation, Smt N. Vijayalakshmi, Principal Secretary Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Sri Nishat Ahmed, Director of Fisheries and Sri Anand Madhav, Director Gender Cell inaugurated the programme by lighting of lamp. Pradip Chatterjee, Convener of the National Platform, in his welcome address, highlighted the importance of fish in the food and nutritional security of the citizens of the country. He mentioned the predominant role of inland fisheries in both production of fish and employment in fisheries sector. He stated the livelihood crisis of small scale fishing communities of the country in general and of Bihar in particular. He highlighted the sorry state of the rivers, lakes, wetlands and ponds as well as the denial of tenure rights of the small scale fishing communities. He mentioned the improper, undemocratic and corrupt functioning of the fisheries cooperatives. He emphasised that the small and traditional fishing communities are by far the largest primary stakeholders and natural custodians of our water bodies. Good fish needs good water. He requested both the dignitaries and the participants of the workshop to work diligently to Save Water, Save Fish and Save Fisher People. In the end he reminded that since the National Policy for Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture is under the process of preparation, the Government of Bihar needs to be sensitive to the situation and needs of the small scale fishing communities and give their suggestions accordingly. Nalinikant, Member of the National Committee of the Platform, mentioned the importance of water courses in Bihar and the problems related to the management of rivers and watershed with their immense adverse impacts on the ecological status of water bodies including rivers, lakes, wetlands and ponds. He stressed that unless the small scale fish workers are organised and empowered, it is impossible to save the water bodies. Suman Singh, Member of the National Committee of the Platform, emphasised the largely invisible and unrecognised role of women fish workers. She strongly advocated the need and importance of women’s empowerment in fisheries for the well being of the sector. She suggested formation of women fish worker cooperatives as an important measure towards this. Hounarable Minister, Sri Rana Ranvir Singh said women are by nature finest manager. They manage family, resources, social system better than male members. That is why, department is making all efforts and developing plan to integrate more womens into agriculture, livestock and fishery sector. Even national budget has made provisions for development of fishery sector. Principal secretary Smt. Vijayalaxmi invited suggestions from the workshop mentioning that the Government of India is making a policy for inland fisheries. A draft version is ready for introducing to all State government. She proposed tsetting up of all women cooperative in each district similar to women’s dairy cooperatives. She also explained various subsidy based schemes for fishing community. Director of Fisheries, Sri Nishat Ahmed shared progress of Bihar state’s fisheries production performance over the years. This year fishery production growth rate was 14% than previous year. He acknowledged fact that still women specific programs have not surfaced in Bihar. But in coming years some concentrated women specific interventions will be developed. Now Bihar is also exporting fish to other States and nearby countries like Nepal and Bhutan. He requested the National Platform to work with the Department in bringing about prosperity to the fisheries sector and small scale fishing communities. Sri Anand Madhav shared that gender cell is doing one research study on performance of women in fishery sector. They will share the findings of this report on 10th July, the National Fish Farmers’ Day. Sri Ranjeev from Ganga Mukti Andolan shared how water resources, inter country water agreements will decide future of fishery sector in Bihar. Ashoka fellow Mr. Neelkanth from Centre for aquatic livelihood Jaljeevika shared importance of conserving native fish varieties and importance of traditional knowledge system for development of fishery sector. Sri. Jitendra from Navjagriti, Sri. Kishor Mandal from Samta Grameen Vikash, Sri Narayan Jee Choudhary from Mahila Gram Vikas Parishad, Sri Rajnath Prasad and other experts and activists participated in the deliberations. The meeting suggested that a National Meeting should be held at Delhi on 10th July 2018 to highlight the inland fish workers’ issues at National Level. It was decided that Sakhi Bihar will host the Secretariat of the Platform in Bihar at their office at Patna. A ten (10) member Ad-hoc Committee was formed with Smt. Suman Singh and Sri Nalinikant as Joint Conveners to take the work forward.