Based on the needs identified by the member countries, the BOBP-IGO proposes to take up the following fisheries management programs:

Regional Program on Safety at Sea for Artisanal and Small-Scale Fishermen: Fishing at sea is probably the most dangerous occupation in the world and every year thousands of fishermen die worldwide on account of poor safety regimes. The problem is all the more acute in the Bay of Bengal region, where sea safety measures among artisanal and small-scale fishermen are rudimentary or non-existent. The factors that endanger the safety of fishermen at sea include excessive fishing effort, increased competition, unsatisfactory vessel maintenance, equipment and manpower, fatigue, recklessness, fisheries management measures that do not pay attention to fishermen safety and diversifying operations without training fishermen.

The erstwhile BOBP during 8 - 12 October 2001 organised a Regional Workshop on Safety at Sea for Artisanal and small-scale Fishermen in Chennai, India, with support from the FAO. It suggested a Regional Program on Sea Safety for Artisanal and Small-Scale Fishermen, which could formulate a holistic long-term approach to improve safety at sea for small-scale fishermen (Chennai Declaration). Necessary measures would include analysis of accident data; education and training of trainers, extensionists, fishermen and inspectors; better fisheries management and enforcement; stronger collaboration between fishermen, fishermen's organisations and governments. 
(The BOBP-IGO seeks donor support to carry out this Program)

Regional Program for Fish Stocks Assessment in the Bay of Bengal: Information on the fish stocks in the Bay of Bengal is sparse. Some characteristic features of fisheries in the Bay of Bengal region are open access, excessive fishing capacity and resource conflicts. While inshore stocks are either optimally exploited or overexploited, little is known about offshore resources or their exploitation. Illegal fishing by fleets from other countries is said to be rampant and fish stocks in several parts of the Bay are threatened.

The proposed Program on Fish Stocks Assessment, would seek to provide a mechanism through which member countries could participate in a regional stocks assessment Program and also develop their national capacities to carry out resources surveys and improve fishery statistics in support of fisheries management.
(The BOBP-IGO seeks donor support to carry out this Program)

Capacity Building and Information Services for Fisheries Development and Management in the Bay of Bengal Region: There is strong optimism that the Bay of Bengal region can produce significantly more fish than at present, through better management of the resources. What is needed, apart from appropriate technology inputs, are institutional capacity building, better all round awareness of management and adoption of a community-based participatory approach.

The BOBP-IGO will address these issues, with funding support from member countries and other agencies.

Taking the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries to the Grassroots Level: The Third Phase of the erstwhile BOBP implemented many activities, which aimed at popularisation of the Code amongst government functionaries and other stakeholders, including the fisher community. The activities included translation of the main Code and its concise version (What is the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries?) into national languages of the member countries (Bengali, Dhivehi, Sinhalese, Thai, Oriya, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi).

The BOBP-IGO will continue the activities and translation of the main Code and its Technical Guidelines into the remaining national languages so that the Code and its Technical Guidelines are read and understood by the fisheries grassroots practitioners in the region. Popularisation and adaptation of the Code will also be carried out through conduct of National Workshops/ Seminars and organisation of Fisherfolk Weeks in the member countries.

Setting up of Regional Information Network: This Program is aimed at providing appropriate information for development, planning, research and training through web-based networking. This will assist member countries in strengthening national capabilities in development and management of coastal fisheries.