1983 - Fisheries: FAO | Commemorative Coin

The year 1983 saw the release of a commemorative coin on the theme ‘Fisheries’ under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) series. The design was later reimagined and re-issued with the same theme in 1987.

World Food Day in 1983 carried forward the global commitment to ending hunger and improving nutrition, but with a special focus on the vital role of fisheries in strengthening food security. As part of the annual observance initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the 1983 theme highlighted how oceans, rivers, and inland water bodies contribute significantly to sustaining communities, supporting livelihoods, and providing essential nutrients to millions of people worldwide. This focus was particularly important for countries like India, where fishing communities form an integral part of the national food system and where the rich marine and freshwater resources hold immense potential for meeting the growing nutritional needs of the population.

The year underscored the importance of fisheries not only as a source of protein-rich food but also as a sector capable of generating employment, boosting rural economies, and supporting balanced ecological practices. In 1983, attention was drawn to the challenges confronting the fisheries sector, including overfishing, inadequate infrastructure, post-harvest losses, and the need for sustainable management of aquatic resources. Governments and institutions worked to promote policies that would support small-scale fishers, improve storage and processing facilities, and encourage responsible fishing practices to ensure long-term resource availability. The observance of World Food Day that year also helped raise awareness about the nutritional value of fish and seafood, emphasizing their importance in combating malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.

In India, where fishing plays a central role in the lives of coastal and riverine communities, World Food Day 1983 helped highlight the sector’s developmental prospects. Efforts were made to strengthen marine and inland fisheries through improved technology, better access to markets, and supportive financial schemes. The year also saw the promotion of aquaculture as a sustainable means of enhancing food production, with increasing recognition of its potential to provide a reliable, year-round food supply. Through seminars, exhibitions, and outreach programmes, the significance of fisheries in achieving food security was emphasized to policymakers, researchers, and the general public.

World Food Day 1983 stands as an important reminder that food security extends beyond agriculture alone and that fisheries, as a renewable natural resource, play a crucial role in nourishing populations and sustaining livelihoods. The focus on fisheries reinforced the need for integrated approaches to food production, environmental conservation, and economic development. It highlighted the belief that protecting aquatic ecosystems and empowering the communities that depend on them is essential for building a resilient and hunger-free world.