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Stakeholders E-Consultation - Inputs to Interactive Dialogue: Making Fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
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This file compiles inputs from from international organizations, parliamentarians, local governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, civil society, scientists, academia, women, youth and other stakeholders as contributions to the preparatory process for the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference. The United Nations does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other information provided through this e-consultation. Our office reserves the right to delete any content/input that is not aligned with the United Nations Charter and/or the principles and purposes of the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference.
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Name of OrganizationCountry of ResidenceRegionSectorOrganization websiteConsidering the latest COVID-related data and analysis, wat are the main trends, challenges and opportunities for making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets? Considering the latest COVID-related data what are possible areas for new partnerships to advance on the implementation of SDG 14 with regards to making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets? Considering the latest COVID-related data, what are main recommendations to advance on the implementation of SDG 14 with regards to making fisheries sustainable and providing making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets?
By submitting this form, I agree to have my inputs made publicly available. I understand that my name and contact details will not be publicized.
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Collectif Senegalais des Africaines pour la Promotion de l'Education Relative a l'Environnement COSAPERE)
SénégalAfricaWomen Organization@cosapere -Facebook
Small-scale artisanal fishermen, especially African and particularly Senegalese ones, live their job very hard, because in addition to this period of COVID, the fishing agreements signed by Governments with European boats, among others, are reducing the chances of these local workers. . The challenges are very difficult to meet and the opportunities require the revision or cancellation of the agreements that empty our oceans.
To save our seas, we should apply sustainable methods of managing the seas.
The areas could be health care, the granting of fishing equipment that meets sustainability criteria, the banning of factory boats that sieve the oceans
I recommend the rigorous application of measures to strengthen the capacities of these fishermen,
Adopt biological resting seasons to allow reproduction and growth of marine wildlife. Respect for maritime territories to prevent local conflicts
Yes
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ProspektikaBelgiumEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
https://www.facebook.com/Sail4ethics-111834524032838
Reduce the use of engines, promote the ship sailing
Reduce the costs of energy and make the cooperativism a small scale security for economical issues. Open public information about possibilities of cost reduction in saling ships
Promote new value chain about sailing ships.
Yes
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CoopeSoliDar R.LCosta Rica
Latin America and the Caribbean
Non-Governmental Organization
www.coopesolidar.org
In Central American Case, we suggest as the main challenge the formalization of this activity of SSF to men and women of IPLC, tenure access and recognition of the work of women along the value chains. With COVID it was obvious the lack of public policy coherence that could support the livelihoods in their territories of life. Also a strong economic dependence to intermediaries and tourism so a fair market was essential.
Fair and just partnerships with SSF organizations and markets. There is a need to promote the use of local markets and products based on the availability and knowledge for sustainable use of those SSF populations.
We need more equitable policies that can level SSF in adequate conditions to the markets, that needs access and tenure rights urgently. The SSF voluntary guidelines for the sustainability of small scale fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication implementation is strongly needed.
Yes
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Stichting Goede VissersNederlandEurope
Fishermen and fisherwomen
www.goedevissers.nl
Development of windparks in coastal marine waters, combined with installation of new marine protected area's as compensation measure, drive local fishermen away from their traditional fishing grounds close to home. Fishermen need bigger boats to fish further away. The small local ports are often not accessible to these bigger boats. This leads to an ongoing decline of small scale local fisheries, higher fuel consumption, higher risks at sea, a weakened connection between fisher and fishing ground etc.
Making NGO's understand the value of smaller scale artisanal fisheries as one of the solutions of global challenges in the field of environment and food security. Cooperation between ngo's and local fisheries towards more inclusive conservation strategies that take coastal comminities into account.
See above.
Yes
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UNESCO Ocean Decade laboratories
IndiaAsia
Science & Technological Community
https://ioc.unesco.org/
The impact of COVID - 19 has accelerated the implementation and the utilization of the product solutions based on the subject areas and the conceptual frameworks of the blockchain technologies and the digital financial services. The integration of the blockchain technologies in the food systems and the fisheries aquaculture sector is evident and depicts the launch of the digital technologies era!
The marine markets could be interlinked to the utilities and the facilities of the blockchain technologies and the digital financial inclusion. Thus enabling the features of the small scale fisheries markets to include the business models of the digital technologies and the emerging technologies!
The use case study of the implementation of the blockchain technologies in the subject areas and the conceptual frameworks of the fisheries markets is provided in the innovative ideology product solution which is described in detail in the below mentioned website URL and link :-

https://climatechange612.wordpress.com/2021/12/31/satellite-communications-for-floods-and-the-food-value-chains/
Yes
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Nigerian Women Agro Allied Farmers Association
NigeriaAfrica
Non-Governmental Organization
www.niwaafa.org
Main trends in fisheries for small scale farmers especially women is construction of mini ponds that can take 300 to 1000 fishes which can easily be managed with reduced cost and budget but very effective for income accruals and sustainable livelihood.
Challenges are availability of fingerlings, Cost of constructing a mini dam and availability of extension services for proper advise on feeding, management and market availability
Opportunities are the huge market available and unsatisfied with the number of fishes produced. Growing need and demand for fish meal and the gap between need and satisfaction of customers. Need for varieties of fish to be made available to teeming consumers and competitive market prices.
Areas for possible partnerships are, Construction of mini dams to provide water for fish ponds. Investments in nets, fish feeds drugs needed to manage a successful fish business.
Training and provision of mini dryers for fish farmers. Investments in packaging and transportations.
Sustainability of fish production depends on available demand and supply. Which triggers markets and demands meeting supply.
Access to fish meal will also depend on income and competing demands for other house hold needs.
Partnerships as the target of SDG 14. Needs the convergence of all parties and actors. Producers, marketers and consumers of fish and fish meal.
Yes
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FOCOLAREKenya-BurundiAfrica
Non-Governmental Organization
www.focolare.org
Depuis 2019, au Burundi et congo sur le Lac Tanganyika ,une étude est nécessaire pour diagnostic et analyser à quel niveau la pendémie a subi des conséquences sur l environement et l'écosystème):étant mère des rivières coulant vers le lac, l hypothèse que les poissons meurent car l'eau des savons liquides, des détergents pour laver les mains, une des gestes barrière contre covid, en conséquences les poissons meme si à prèsent ne sont pas beaucoup produits sont consommés par la population(personne ne sait quoi sur la vie humaine).Innonation à Gatumba(2019-2020)
Ca serait un projet pilote pouvant être exécuté à priori dans les 5 pays de l’Est Afrique et des Grands Lacs (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda,RDC, Tanzaniya, Uganda, Sud Soudan et Zambie) en phase selon le pays et les typologies de choix des structures bénéficiaires du Lac
Bien que l'habitat idéal pour les poissons et mollusques se réduise de son volume, que la pollution, le réchauffement climatique, la surpêche ainsi que la hausse de consommation des poissons soient des problématiques identifiés pouvant empêcher la meilleure productivité des poissons pour une bonne alimentation de l’homme, la préservation de l’écosystème du lac Tanganyika, création d’un lieu touristique ainsi que la gestion et l’autonomisation économique. Un projet intitulé « Imuhira Tanganyika Fishes» est initié sous l’approche ITANGAFI-Greenfilter pour les pays des grands Lacs par Fidèle Sindayihebura, spécialisé en Génie Civil .
Yes
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Annpeters Global Humanitarian Foundation
NigeriaAfrica
Non-Governmental Organization
Annpeters Global Humanitarian Foundation
The main trend challenges for the fisheries will be lack of massive production,effect of health on the ocean and COVID restriction which will limit to their access to the ocean even life spam of the fish are not guaranteed.This will affect small scale artisanal fishers greatly as they will be side line and poor production and less income.Increase in the monetary amount in the market because of low production,hardship for poor mass.Black market or fisheries might be introduced.
lack of massive production,effect of health on the ocean and limitation.This will affect small scale artisanal fishers greatly as they will be side line and poor production and less income.Increase in the monetary amount in the market because of low production,hardship for poor mass.
Introduction of new way for finishering that will not affect COVID rules,limit fisher men on the ocean,provide another means of fishering and introduce domestic animal for alternative.Inspection of the equipment for fishering and avoid body contact in the ocean.health inspection on the boat use for fishering.
Yes
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T4NA BurundiBurundiAfrica
Non-Governmental Organization
www.togetherforanewafrica.org

Among the reasons for this are a shortage of manpower, financial constraints, and lack of awareness by the fisheries.
 Changing gears consistently in order to catch pelagic fish leads to a loss of pelagic and littoral. fisheries resources, as well as a reduction of fish, and social/economy impacts.
 A loss of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem services, and habitat degradation.
Population increase. it could reduce artisanal revenue and promoting food security in the region by creating local chain values in local association example work with GeoMarket Tanganyika Fishes Association lead by Céline Nshimirimana in Nyanza Laketried to fourniture challenged by having technich and storage materials.
Lake Tanganyika 's production potential of the four countries(Burundi, DRC, Tanzania and Zambia) bordering the lake estimated to vary in the range of 165000 – 200 000 metric tonnes (mt). The report on Production for each country is 20 t(Burundi) and 184 000 t (Tanzania). .
Create GeoMarket Women Association, meetings involving fishermen, women fishmongers, youth and technical fisheries officials storage are highly required to agree and propose administration and management rules,so as to rescue fishery stock as well as to improve the economic well being and food security of the fishery community and the larger region. And create information fisheries data bases development
Yes
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/saliha-zerdoum-13aab8b1/
AlgeriaAfrica
Education & Academic Entities
https://www.linkedin.com/in/saliha-zerdoum-13aab8b1/
Soutenir les artisans pêcheurs, les travailleurs du secteur des pêches ainsi l'accès aux ressources marines et aux marchés avec respects de normes et réglementation
Yes
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Aquatic Life InstituteSpain
Latin America and the Caribbean
Non-Governmental Organization
www.ali.fish
Covid has pushed the public to take more notice of zoonotic virus outbreaks from current forms of intensive agriculture, aquaculture, and deforestation. SDG14 can take advantage of this opportunity by developing more small-scale artisanal fisheries and discouraging commercial-scale fishing and aquaculture farming that are destructive to marine resources. For example, many commercial fisheries deplete local fishes for fish meal fish oil, depriving local peoples of a nutrition-rich and low-cost diet.
Work with NGOs who advocate for local small-scale fisheries. Work with fish welfare organizations to create guidelines for proper fish handling that can reduce mortality, improve food safety and and prolong food storage, all of which benefit local people's livelihoods.
Commission reports on the impacts of the fish meal fish oil industry on small-scale fishers and local fishing communities who depend on that fish species for nutrition. Issue guidelines to prevent future exploitation and depletion of such resources.
Yes
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Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands
Ecuador
Latin America and the Caribbean
Non-Governmental Organization
https://www.darwinfoundation.org
Small-scale fisheries (SSF) is the most important economic activity in Galapagos, together with tourism, which was fully disrupted due to COVID. SSF however, remained as one of the few productive sectors that remained active and was source of healthy food for the inhabitants. Challenges: total reliance of economy upon tourism, the overlooking of SSF as key allies in the marine conservation and limited institutional capacity of fishing cooperatives to face national and global markets demands.Trends: the realization of fishers' potential as allies and partners instead of enemies for marine conservation.Opportunity: foster, within young fishers, their proud to remain fisher and to involve them within research (citizen science) and stewardship.
Partnership and collaboration with: fishing associations/cooperatives, restaurants, middlemen, hotels, chefs, markets, responsible tourism companies, tourists. Support and accompany innovative entrepreneur initiatives developed by fishers.
Involve fishers and related actors (along the entire fish value chain) into research activities, within citizen science initiatives, by integrating local fishers' knowledge as one format of knowledge that could inform decision and policy making. Realize and highlight the role women play within the entire fish value chain. Foster the continuation of healthy and sustainable practices in fisheries. Enforce regulations and recognize good practices.
Yes
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Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa
KenyaAfricaFaith-based organizationwww.jenaafrica.org
In some places the pandemic led to more fishing pressure and in other places the opposite was true. We need to understand this heterogeneity and take it into account. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for small-scale fisheries (SSF). In most cases, we would not need to talk about providing SSF with access to marine resources if those resources had not already been threatened by economic development and/or environmental degradation from other sources. COVID has provided opportunities to further marginalize coastal communities in the governance processes that could be protecting them.
The most important partners are coastal communities. They should be allowed to decide what type of access to resources and markets they want.
When we talk about providing access to markets, we need to ask hard questions about how those markets are structured. In many places, "access to markets" is a key precondition for trade flows that move nutritious seafood away from food-insecure and undernourished communities. In general, SSFs that were more integrated in global markets also suffered more during the COVID pandemic. We need to consult coastal communities and design SSF food systems for economic resilience, environmental sustainability, social justice, and food sovereignty.
Yes
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UNESCOFranceEuropeIGOwww.unesco.org
It is important to include in the development of marine protected areas also cultural heritage aspects, that are important for coastal communities. Underwater cultural heritage sites are known to have in many occasions provided new and diverse opportunities for sustainable living (red Bay/Canada; Mozambique Island etc.)
It is important to include in all discussions cultural heritage managers, cultural aspects and considerations on underwater and coastal cultural heritage.
It is important to diversify options and to include the protection of underwater cultural heritage in the discussions. Many sites are highly threatened by trawling and irresponsible fishing. A dialogue is needed.
Yes
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Quotidiano Web Le Muse News
ItalyEuropeJournal
https://www.lemusenews.it/
Promote sustainable fishing with methods suitable for preserving fish species and marine ecosystems.
Promote local fish products in nearby markets, creating quality brands for the promotion of gastronomic tourism. All this in respect of fish species and marine ecosystems.
Yes
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Transform Bottom Trawling Coalition
United KingdomEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
transformbottomtrawling.org
Key to providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets is to mitigate competition with destructive industrial-scale fisheries. Destructive industrial fisheries dominate space, over-extract and degrade resources, and distort local markets.

Small-scale artisanal fishers should be given preferential access to fisheries resources and markets. To achieve this, coastal states must commit to establishing, enhancing and strengthening inshore exclusion zones in which bottom trawling is prohibited.
It is critical that states and intergovernmental organisations give small-scale artisanal fishers a voice in global fisheries and climate dialogues. This necessitates stronger partnerships between governments and small-scale artisanal fishers groups, IPLC groups, and other environmental stewards.
To advance SDG14, member states must:

1. Establish, expand and strengthen national inshore exclusion zones (IEZs) for small-scale fishers in which bottom trawling is prohibited.

2. Prohibit bottom trawling in all marine protected areas (outside IEZs) to ensure vulnerable habitats and ecosystems are effectively protected and recovered.

3. End subsidised bottom trawling and allocate financial and technical resources to support a fair transition for fleets.

4. Prohibit the expansion of bottom trawling to new, untrawled areas.
Yes
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Blue VenturesMadagascarAfrica
Non-Governmental Organization
https://blueventures.org/
With or without COVID the main challenges remains the same: implementing and enforcing the management measure. The COVID slowed even more all ongoing initiatives.
A combined/joint advocacy work claiming the implementation and enforcement of any texts aiming to make fisheries sustainable but making sure that SSF are considered.
If only (1) all pledges are fulfilled not just flying words, (2) all agreed rules and regulations are duly enforced and implemented, and (3) equity is respected, then sustainability can be reached quicker.
Yes
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OceanaUnited StatesNorth America
Non-Governmental Organization
oceana.org
Transparency in discourse, policy and action have advanced tremendously in the past decade, albeit in an ad hoc manner across governments. Progress secured in whole or part by global and national NGOs and civil society collaborations has delivered increases in seafood labeling, public vessel tracking, and the release of information on licenses, quotas and enforcement actions. Both the US and EU have taken punitive action against supply states that fail to tackle illegal fishing. Moreover, fisheries transparency is an essential precondition for so many other marine sustainability objectives, from robust marine protected area enforcement to inclusive, science-based fisheries management.
Knit together areas of progress on fisheries governance and accountability through the creation of a dynamic, multinational coalition of transparency advocates to coordinate campaigning efforts, communicate the urgency of the issue, and elevate the need for transparency in the global agenda.
Work in target countries across the globe around an organized set of co-developed policy principles, such as the creation of a global charter for fisheries transparency.

Build a strong international community among global transparency leaders, sharing information and resources as well as helping to secure new support where gaps are identified.

Create a global communications effort to elevate fisheries transparency beyond the marine policy bubble.
Yes
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SmartFish Rescate de Valor, AC
Mexico
Latin America and the Caribbean
Non-Governmental Organization
www.smartfishac.org
During the COVID pandemic, we observed that many SSF producers and organizations went into debt, especially with their buyers/intermediaries in order to survive the market downturn. Organized crime groups also took advantage of the disruption to become deeply involved in trading seafood from SSF. As a result, fishers became more trapped in coercive arrangements with their buyers and cannot invest in the sustainability of their fisheries. There is an opportunity to intervene in the ongoing realignment of value-chain actors to design systems that are fairer for producers and that encourage investment in sustainability.
SSF fishers need “good intermediaries to help them access markets in a more equitable manner. New partnerships can foster the capitalization of small and medium seafood enterprises that operate with transparency and environmental and social responsibility principles.
Design interventions that compensate fishers for this effort, for example by catalyzing access to better paying market segments.
Incubate capacities (quality improvements, processing, business management, logistics) to enable access to better paying markets.
Efforts should target local, regional and national markets before turning to exports.
Enabling market access can have negative unintended consequences such as increasing overfishing, inequality and food insecurity. Efforts should always include measures to understand and mitigate unintended consequences.
The cost of fisheries management measures falls primarily on fishers, the most vulnerable actors.
SmartFish’s Value Rescue model addresses the recommendations outlined here.
Yes
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Environmental Defense Fund
United StatesNorth America
Non-Governmental Organization
edf.org
Small-scale fishers make up 90% of the workforce throughout the wild capture fisheries value chain, and they also provide 2/3rds of the catch that goes to direct human consumption. Yet these fisheries tend to be un-assessed and under-managed, and small-scale fishers tend to be excluded from management decisionmaking at all levels. There is a critical need and opportunity to recognize their traditional knowledge and lived experiences, and to ensure these actors have equitable access to markets and to the benefits of industry development, as the global focus on the "blue economy" expands.
The Blue/Aquatic Foods Action Coalition brings together UN Member State governments and participants from civil society, the fishing and aquaculture industry, and other sectors and can be built upon to further multiple goals.
* Governments need to ensure that small‐scale actors – including women, Indigenous Peoples, and other marginalized groups – are meaningfully included in fisheries management decision‐making.

* Formalize the fishing access and utilization rights of small-scale actors through the creation and recognition of secure tenure rights for small-scale fishers and fishing communities.

*Incorporate traditional knowledge and lived experiences in management in participatory and inclusive ways.

* Invest in the development of hard and soft infrastructure that enables small-scale actors to access markets.

* Address the challenge of IUU fishing, including as conducted in the waters of foreign nations and under "false flags."
Yes
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Lagos State UniversityNigeriaAfrica
Education & Academic Entities
www.lasu.edu.ng
Implementing the SSF Guidelines will help towards sustainable SSF in countries such as Nigeria.
Partnership should be in the area of increasing awareness towards implementing the SSF Guidelines.
Increase global efforts at the implementation of the SSF Guidelines at global, regional and coungry levels.
Yes
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Community Conservation Research Network
CanadaGlobal
Multi-sectoral research network
www.communityconservation.net
OPPORTUNITY: Small-scale fisheries have been documented to be leaders in a range of environmental stewardship, as shown in the current SSF-Stewardship project (https://ssf-stewardship.net/). Accordingly, SSF are not only crucial to food security and livelihoods but also to ensuring sustainable fisheries and fishery ecosystems.
Partnerships linking small-scale fishers with governments, NGOs and/or civil society can be effective in supporting sustainable fisheries, if they also empower fishers and emphasize the importance of SSF resource and market access.
RECOMMENDATION: To achieve both goals – (1) making fisheries sustainable and (2) providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets – it is important to empower and tangibly support small-scale fishers in their conservation activities, and in sustaining their livelihoods. This should be an active policy thrust.
Yes
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Village Farmers Initiative (VFI)
NigeriaAfricaFarmers
Https://www.instagram.com/villagefarmers21
Since 2020 till date, we have noticed drastic depletion and over-exploitation of species and fish stocks in our riverine and marine communities and this reduced catch is also associated with acute rise in social unrest and unemployment.
COVID 19 pandemic together with this high rate of depletion undermine food security, source of income and means of livelihood for small-scale fishers.
The illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities of the commercial fish industries have caused untold hardship and severe hunger for small-scale fishers who can’t compete with the speed at which they catch fish from our rivers. Income accrued by small-scale artisanal fishers in Nigeria has reduced by up to 30% over the last decade.
Building partnerships and collaborations that safeguard the social, economic, and environmental contributions of the small-scale fishers to improve their competitiveness and resilience in this COVID era.
Decision-makers should provide enabling policies and regulations for small-scale fishers to thrive.
Safeguarding and shielding our fish stocks from going into extinction should be of utmost concern to all involved. Decision-makers should prioritize and protect the interests of the small-scale artisanal fishers in ease of doing business.
We need to promote and encourage small-scale fishing to bridge this wide variability gap in productivity and profits through investments and developing fish markets in our rural communities.
Yes
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Coord Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investments
IndonesiaAsia
Other stakeholders active in areas related to sustainable development
www.maritim.go.id
Small-scale fishers are often trapped in bad debt just for their daily needs, and prone to climate change and disasters. Government must ensure that access to capture fishes at sea and access to market remain available for small-scale fishers during the pandemic through policies and fiscal stimulus that taking small-scale fisher's side that assist them to be a more modern and stronger fishers, strengthen existing fisher's cooperative groups, and also provide infrastructure and covid-19-free facilities
The government must consistently apply the Port State Measures at their destinated ports to ensure the captured fishes are IUUF-free and promote the FAO's PSMA to their neighboring countries, consult with related RFMOs, and establish bilateral and regional cooperation
1. fishers who land and correctly report their catch in the appropriate ports must be given incentives as well as access to capital with easiest payment and tenure, 2. Apply the use of digital technology for better reporting (e-log book and one data) and for strengthening domestic links for market, 3. apply programs to improve fisher's skills, family protection and prosperity, and other community-based programs
Yes
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Swedish Society for Nature Conservation
SwedenEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
www.naturskyddsforeningen.se
Covid-19 has illustrated the importance of small-scale fisheries for food sovereignty and livelihoods for hundreds of millions ppl. It has however posed serious challenges (restrictions on gatherings and movement of people and goods, closure of traditional fish markets, lockdowns) which has made it difficult for artisanal men and women fishers to operate and for local communities to access affordable and nutritious food. It has also illustrated the need to prioritize local and resilient food systems. There is now an opportunity to build forward better by securing SSF prioritized access to resources; improving hygiene facilities and working conditions at market places; developing robust local value chains (in line with SSF Gudelines).
We encourage strong collaboration and full partnership with civil society and particularly artisanal fishers and their respective organizations.
There is an urgent need to: restore global fish stocks; increase transparency; transition to low impact fisheries and favour those fishing sustainably; to secure prioritized access to sustainable small-scale fisheries in coastal waters by exclusive fishing zones; to ensure fisheries governance is gender sensitive and build upon human rights; that working conditions for women is improved through hygien and other facilities at market places; development of robust local value chains; and that coastal areas reserved for artisanal fishing activities are protected from industrial developments. The SSF Guidelines is an important tool for necessary change in the sector, and should be urgently implemented and mainstream relevant policys.
Yes
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Mundus maris asblBelgiumEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
www.mundusmaris.org
Fisheries catches since 1950 are more than 50% higher than what government report officially to FAO; artisanal, subsistance and recreational fisheries are poorly recorded, the former make up about a quarter of food fish produced. Many industrial fisheries are massively engaged in IUU fishing, incl. human rights abuses, undermining management and hopes for sustainability. Global catches are falling since 1996, covid not making a big difference. Opportunities are by stopping harmful subsidies to take at least half of the industrial overcapacity out of service, enforcing public registration of industrial vessels & beneficial ownership, agreeing on 30x30, boosting implementation of the Voluntary SSF Guidelines, climate-smart investment.
Stop harmful fisheries subsidies: impact on SDG (SDG 9,12). Implement agreed FAO Codes, incl. the Voluntary SSF Guidelines, incl. gender equity (SDG 1,2,3,4,5,16,17). Use ODA, insurance, etc. as incentive for innovative solutions for ecological/biodiversity, economic & socio-cultural benefits.
To counter shifting baseline syndrome, making fisheries sustainable after the major ecosystem shifts by industrial fisheries means rebuilding marine ecosystems. The 30x30 protection is a priority with attention to social justice. Extremely harmful bottom trawling effects on habitat, ecosystem, CO2 emissions & SSF to be curbed: drastically reduce it esp. in Africa and Asia. WTO to phase out harmful fisheries subsidies. Halve industrial fleets. Favour SSF for safe food, employment, justice through low impact fisheries. In the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA2022) governments must implement the Voluntary SSF Guidelines. Drive long-term economic development in a climate-neutral way; transparency & accountability.
Yes
30
World Benchmarking Alliance
GermanyEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
https://www.worldbenchmarkingalliance.org/
Market recognition of sustainability is moving beyond certification. The private sector also has a role to play in support small-scale fisheries' access to market by developing ways (in partnership with NGOs and governments) to recognize the sustainaibility of small-scale fisheries beyond certification. For example, GSSI's Seafood MAP is a promising effort (under development) as it will help connect producers to buyers in a way that shows how producers' practices are in line (or not) with the SDGs. This is huge opportunity to raise the level of visibility and understanding of small-scale fisheries in the market place.
The private sector must to be more involved in the implementation of FAO's guidelines for small-scale fisheries. Thus we must see more public-private partnerships that aim to build capacity and market access of small-scale fisheries e.g., trainings, supply chain infrastructure.
We need more DATA - this is the weakest point when it comes to understanding and managing SSFs. We also need ways that empower SSFs understand market requirements and connect with buyers directly.
Yes
31
CFFA CAPEBelgiqueEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
https://www.cffacape.org/
During the Covid-19 crisis, with measures that have severely affected them, African artisanal fishers have shown their resilience and ability to provide essential food to populations. The future will be full of challenges for them, especially with the effects of global warming already being felt: more difficult navigation conditions at sea, erosion of the coasts, displacement of resources further offshore, etc. But the main challenge is to give young women and men the prospect of finding decent living and working conditions in artisanal fishing, to avoid, as is too often the case today, that they fall into drugs and crime, or leave on the roads of illegal emigration.

- Securing access to resources for artisanal fisheries
- Promoting the place of women in artisanal fisheries value chains
- Protecting artisanal fisheries from competing sectors of the blue economy
States should grant exclusive fishing rights to artisanal fishers in coastal areas. 100% of these coastal areas should be co-managed, including through appropriate ecosystem conservation tools, such as MPAs.
States should give priority attention to improving the working conditions of women in the artisanal fisheries sector and invest in the necessary services and infrastructure.
The precautionary approach must guide the development of the blue economy. No new ocean use activity should be allowed, nor supported, if it negatively impacts ecosystems and the activities of communities that depend on them for their livelihood.
Yes
32
Minderoo FoundationAustraliaOceania
Private Philanthropic Organizations
https://www.minderoo.org/
Prior to COVID, small-scale face fisheries faced significant market access and sustainability challenges due to the inherent economic disadvantage of the sector globally. COVID has further exacerbated the situation through forcing the complete shut-downs of some fisheries, the knock-on economic effects from market disruptions, increased health risks for fishers, processors and communities, additional implications for marginalized groups, exacerbated vulnerabilities to other social and environmental stressors, and increased Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (Bennett et al 2020). The localisation of supply chains may provide an opportunity for increased market access to artisanal SSF post-COVID to the benefit of local communities.
The private sector, NGOs and local orgs can facilitate the development of sustainable SSF with increased market access and local profits/benefits. An integrated recovery must include healthcare, economic development, education and environment with access for marginalised and Indigenous Peoples.
Funding, cooperation and political will to fully implement the SSF voluntary guidelines for the sustainability of small scale fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication. Structural change to global fisheries markets which aim to rebalanced current inequities between SSF and the industrial sector.
Yes
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Our FishNetherlandsEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
ourfish.eu
Fisheries subsidies provided by governments are a major cause of concern. Globally, fisheries subsidies are estimated to be as high as USD 35.4 billion and the majority of these subsidies are harmful – about 60% of them are believed to contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. Harmful subsidies like fuel tax exemptions benefits the largest fuel consumers the most. This flawed policy increases CO2 emissions, further aggravating the climate crisis. Moreover, the majority of global subsidies go to the large-scale (industrial) fishing sector which has the biggest impact on marine resources and has the most destructive fishing practices. Also, access to fishing opportunities is dominated by the large-scale industry, also most destructive.
Countries should increase support for low-impact, small-scale fishers. They should participate in various initiatives and international dialogues on equal footing with the large scale industry. New partnerships should promote a just transition to low impact low carbon fishing and supply chains.
Given the dire status of global fish stocks, the severity of climate crisis and biodiversity loss, there has never been a greater need to eliminate fisheries subsidies. It would create a level-playing field in the fisheries sector and improve the economic viability of small-scale fishers. Apart from that, access to fishing resources should be prioritised for those who demonstrate less impact on the marine ecosystem. Developing and promoting the application of transparent environmental, social and economic criteria for the allocation of fishing opportunities would incentivise true sustainability and initiate a just transition to low-carbon, low-impact fishing.
Yes
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Ocean & Climate PlatformFranceEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
https://ocean-climate.org
Today, the world’s fish stocks are under considerable pressure, with 33% of the global fish stocks being overexploited (FAO, 2018). This is a major concern, not only for future global food security, but also for the social and economic well-being of the coastal communities that rely on fish consumption. Close to 3.3 billion people depend on aquatic resources for sustenance, and millions depend on the fishing sector for economic and social benefits (FAO, 2020). In addition to overexploitation, the growing impacts of climate change further threaten fish stocks (IPCC, 2019). In response to these increasing threats, ecosystem-based approaches draw pathways to reconcile exploitation and conservation, thus strengthening ecosystem resilience.
We need to aim for a collaborative model which is both inclusive and adaptable. Building on community and rights-based approaches, it is essential to integrate indigenous peoples and local communities into fisheries management. Similarly, fishermen must be included in conservation efforts.
(1) It is crucial to encourage sustainable fishing practices that respect fish stocks and protect ecosystems, while at the same time encouraging a high standard of environmental exigency beyond that of the current management model of maximum sustainable yield.
(2) Ending overfishing requires intensifying efforts to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing) and eliminating harmful subsidies that contribute to developing or maintaining overfishing.
(3) We need to set up and enforce an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries which respects biodiversity and is socially and economically fair, in order to strengthen the resilience of marine ecosystems and fishing activities as they deal with the impacts of climate change.
Yes
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One Ocean HubUnited KingdomEurope
Education & Academic Entities
https://oneoceanhub.org/
During the pandemic, small-scale fishers (SSF) have been left out of policy processes, harassed by law enforcement agents, and not allowed to fish at a time when many families were struggling the most with access to food and income-generating activities. This has increased challenges for SSF to engage in environmental impact assessments and consultations with a view to ensuring protection of their human and customary rights, and securing access to resources and markets. There is an opportunity to improve SSF’s own capacities and national legal frameworks by better understanding the role of international human rights law to address procedural and substantive injustice affecting SSF, including SSF women and children.
New partnerships to:
- Address the diverse capacity-building & legal empowerment needs of different stakeholder groups (SSF associations, SSF women & youth).
- Redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities, including those that have been historically removed from the coast.
- Recognize SSF as human rights-holders & environmental human rights defenders.
- Identify tensions among large-scale, recreational, SSF & with blue economy sectors.
- Protect SSFs’ legitimate tenure rights to both inland & marine fishing grounds, & their tangible & intangible cultural heritage.
- Assess national fisheries legislation against international human rights standards & ensure genuine participation of SSF communities in national blue economy policy & legislative processes.
- Co-design capacity-building & legal-empowerment programmes for different stakeholder groups to tackle barriers to the protection of SSF human rights & their contribution to sustainable fisheries, climate change adaptation & ecosystem restoration.
Yes
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Sharkproject InternationalSwitzerlandEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
www.sharkproject.org
When COVID started hopes for ocean recovery rose. HOWEVER the opposite is true. Since Feb. 2020 efforts to improve fishing operations towards SDG14 have suffered, as RFMO meetings were cancelled or held virtually, lacking equal opportunity for conservation and coastal states for making themselves heard. At ICCAT effective measures for endangered mako sharks got delayed in the North and are still unaddressed for the South Atlantic, while harmful subsidies for capacity expansion remained in place. Overfishing, reduced monitoring and poor compliance are direct results of COVID as observers were unable to board vessels and functioning Electronic Monitoring Systems not yet available, thus taking a toll on threatened species and life below water.
Coastal nations depend on fishing for food security and export revenues, but are at a disadvantage against industrial fleets for fishing quotas, market access, and subsidies forcing them into unsustainable practices and overfishing. These tools should be used to shift towards sustainable practices.
Transiting quickly to an ecosystem-based fishery management despite COVID is essential for both, industrial & coastal nations, to immediately stop overfishing & start stock rebuilding also for bycatch species in the shortest possible time. Destructive gear & deep-sea fishing must be phased out & selectivity of all gear improved to progressively reduce bycatch of threatened species & reduce observed & unobserved mortality.100% electronic &/or human monitoring applying a risk-based approach for artisan. fisheries combined with near real time reporting of all fishing data are needed to ensure compliance, combat IUU, protect human rights at sea & ensure the sust. use of marine resources in line with SDG14 by both industrial & artisan. fisheries
Yes
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Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO)
KenyaAfrica
Non-Governmental Organization
www.cancokenya.net
Trends in fisheries include, available technology for markets for small scale fisheries, policy regulations to ensure minimal contamination of sea food with COVID 19. Opportunities in fisheries include potential overall growth of the industry as it has not reached its full potential. Challenges include climate change effects leading to loss of stocks, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated fishing posing that directly affects small-scale fisheries to economically survive due to economically survive. Illegal fishing has caused heavy revenue losses.• Post-harvest losses-Small Scale Fishers suffer from the lack of requisite infrastructure (storage and cold chain) facilities to keep the product fresh and not contaminated.
Possible areas of partnership include; Organizing small scale fishers into business entities and investing in building their on business/enterprise management, Value chain enhancement in terms of investing in whole value chain infrastructure and linking small scale fishers to markets.
• Investing in value chain enhancement in terms of ;
o Capacity building of small scale fishers to understand phytosanitary standards which when adhered to will help them access markets.
o Investing in value chain infrastructure from production all the way to marketing. Use of available technology to link small scale fishers to markets
• Using available technology to link small scale fishers to markets.

Yes
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FFAW-UniforCanadaNorth AmericaWorkers & Trade Unionswww.ffaw.ca
Inshore fish harvesters have to work closely with government to ensure that fisheries are managed sustainably - sustainability is a pillar that safeguards succession planning for the industry. The principle of adjacency must be exercised to ensure that those that live closest to the resource are the beneficiaries. Limitations and improved enforcement of foreign overfishing is critical.
Making sure that harvesters are included in consultations and all decisions for fisheries management is important for understanding changes in marine trends and enhancing the relationship between science and best practice.
Greater access for small-boat owner operators and greater restrictions on offshore draggers and foreign interests - stop selling resources off to the highest international bidders are strengthen national supply chains by prioritizing local, responsibly harvested wild seafood. Reintroducing seafood traceability so consumers can make more informed choices.
Yes
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SafetyNet TechnologiesUnited KingdomEuropeBusiness & Industryhttps://sntech.co.uk/
Trends: Bycatch is a significant problem within the industry. Bycatch causes damage to fish stock and depletes fishers’ time and resources.

Opportunities: There is a need for more data to enable fishers’ to effectively respond to the challenge of bycatch. A range of technologies are being developed to help provide this information. These include LED lights, cameras and sensors for fishing gear.

Challenges: Precision fishing technology is still an emerging field. Products are often expensive. To adapt some of these technologies to the small-scale artisanal market, funding needs to be available for development and testing. Collaboration between technology providers and management systems that work with small-scale fishers are needed.
Partnerships between fishing communities and technology SMEs.

Networks that connect funding organisations, technology SMEs and the fishing community.

Collaboration between technology SMEs that can work together to build holistic solutions, that also includes industry, science, and government.
The development of technologies to help us tackle challenges, such as bycatch, needs to be encouraged and funded.

More data needs to be collected on the marine ecosystem. Data on existing fish stocks and migratory patterns are of particular importance. More data will enable fisheries' to be managed sustainably and with the best scientific knowledge available.

Finally, co-management of marine resources is paramount. For the fishing industry to be sustainable, fishers' need to be included in the decision-making process and their needs accounted for.
Yes
40
https://unitedbythesea.org/
PortugalEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
https://unitedbythesea.org/
United by the Sea's mission of protecting the Ocean by raising Awareness and promoting Open Education and Open Science through dedicated campaigns that combine the use of Film as one of the most powerful tools for sharing information and bring ocean-related knowledge to people all around the world in partnership with most reliable Institutions. We are following closely all major problems and solutions as our core contents, and we will do our best both in promoting campaigns, initiatives and events that contribute to address the problem as much as documenting and disseminate information about this topic through film
Yes
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Bring Back GreenIndiaAsia
Non-Governmental Organization
www.bringbackgreen.com
Integration of human rights and conservation issues
Respect, protection and fulfilment of rights within the context of nature conservation
Rights- Based Approaches (RBA): Emphasize on human rights based, gender- sensitive framework for conservation of nature
Community based conservation efforts
Empowerment and substantive participation of indigenous people, local communities, rural women, rural youth etc.
Sustainable nature governance practices
Injustice and instability of economic systems
Yes
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Ciscos/Ugl(Centro internazionale sindacale per la cooperazione allo sviluppo)
ItaliaEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
www.ciscos.org
Artisanal fishermen, fish farmers and small-scale fisheries workers need to be fully recognized and empowered to continue their contribution to human well-being, healthy food systems and poverty eradication through the responsible and sustainable use of fisheries and aquaculture resources. Awareness of the contributions of artisanal fisheries and aquaculture to sustainable development around the world must be raised. Small-scale fishermen, fish farmers and fish operators have enormous potential to drive transformative changes in how, by whom and for whom fish and fishery products are produced, processed and distributed, with positive knock-on effects which can be felt throughout the food system.
The global action plan GAP for 2022 was developed by the FAO Fisheries Committee (COFI), composed of government representatives including local and national governments, non-governmental organizations, international financial institutions and other international mechanisms to encourage this activity
Awareness of the contributions of artisanal fishing and aquaculture to sustainable development around the world. Small-scale fishermen, fish farmers and fish operators have enormous potential to drive transformative changes in how, by whom and for whom fish and fishery products are produced, processed and distributed, with positive knock-on effects which can be felt throughout the food system.
We need to encourage and facilitate the potential of small-scale artisanal fishing and modern aquaculture, but they have great value.
Yes
43
Seas At RiskBelgiumEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
www.seas-at-risk.org
The pandemic has illustrated the importance of small-scale fisheries and local supply chains for food security. It also showed fisheries subsidies are skewed to large scale, fuel intensive fishing operations with devastating impacts on marine biodiversity and the climate. Post-pandemic support for recovery should therefore target low-impact, small- scale fishing operations to facilitate a just transition to low impact fisheries.
Small-scale, low-impact fisheries need to get more support and an equal say in (inter)national initiatives that shape fisheries policies as the large-scale fishing industry. Establish co-management schemes of low-impact small-scale fishers, authorities, NGOs and scientists.
- Eliminate fisheries subsidies including fuel tax exemptions and provide low impact small scale operators priority access to fish resources (through licences and quota).
- Ban destructive fishing techniques like bottom trawling from MPAs and sensitive, vulnerable areas.
- Promote local supply chains.
Yes
44
Blue venturesUKEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
https://blueventures.org/
1. We believe that insecure tenure rights for SSF and coastal communities is the main challenge for making fisheries sustainable and providing access for SSF.
2. One of the related challenges is the lack of inclusion and participation of SSF and coastal communities in decision making, and the lack of transparency in fisheries management globally.
3. Industrial fishing, particularly IUU industrial fishing, threatens ocean biodiversity and undermines the catches, food security and jobs of small-scale fishers and coastal communities.
4. Finally, harmful subsidies are a pernicious driver of overfishing, habitat destruction and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly by industrial fleets.
We recommend that governments:
1. Secure tenure rights for SSF and coastal communities.
2. Implement exclusive rights to nearshore seas for SSF, and restrict destructive industrial fishing in these marine ecosystems.
3. Redirect harmful fishing subsidies to support equitable and sustainable small-scale fisheries.
4. Promote gender equality in fisheries management, including coastal communities, especially girls and young women, in decision making processes.
5. Implement greater national and international fisheries transparency.
6. Recognise and promote the role of communities in marine conservation, and recognise the contribution of LMMAs towards SDG14
Yes
45
BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
France
Latin America and the Caribbean
Non-Governmental Organization
https://www.slideshare.net/GeorgeRADJOU/presentations
Strategy is a military science. Coastal line is: sea, beach, business market, (c) administration. Fishery is influenced by strategy. Sea rising impacts is covid 19 restriction (business- markets). Issue is administration losing taxes/ business incomes. Taxes are burdensome, however can provide: safety nets, social security, pensions, school fees...paying the development (NGO, firms, Public sector). Underdeveloped countries are mainly SIDS, LDC, landlocked. Importance of seas/oceans are critical for the coastal populations. 500 million of small farmers/fisheries are feeding 2 billion. Challenges: cultural differences, leverage (markets, economy, technology, equity, viability...sustainability) waste,) ethical business and administration.

Small fisheries are within the international competition and solidarity. SDG 14: 50% is waste. Less needs, less production & less waste. Business ethics: work less, with the environmental leadership of the coastal line needs to be protected for the life, livelihood and properties of the fishermen
Covid 19 was not just a health hazard. It was a food, water, housing, communication, transport, refugee displacement issue with the organization. The local fisherman and fisheries and the tourism industries are delivering the values for money. The sustainability development (economy, society, ecology) is made with the whole supply chain from the suppliers, Human resources, processes, sales, and consumers, via the coastal lines.The claim is the management of contexts. The match in adaptation of business environments. Planning for uncertainties help to have both the solidarity and the resources for the helper, in order to reduce the vulnerability to exposure, and the strategic designs (potential, capability, regulation)
Yes
46
Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C. (COBI)
Mexico
Latin America and the Caribbean
Non-Governmental Organization
https://cobi.org.mx
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the marginalized conditions and digital inequalities in coastal communities. Challenges:1)Access to an adequate digital infrastructure in fishing communities. The SSF sector is concerned about being left behind by the digital transformation. 2)The pandemic has worsened the conditions of gender equality in SSF, it is necessary to recognize the role of women. Opportunities: fisheries demonstrated greater resilience by not depending on a single market. Cooperation has been key since sustainable solutions from different regions have been connected. Fisheries that participate in fishery improvement projects continued to sell their products to their main buyers. The SSF sector is adapting to digital change.
Fishers sharing sustainable fishing solutions, gender equity and market solutions with their peers through a digital network. Strategic alliances including the government sector, academia, NGOs, fishing communities and private sector to achieve sustainable fisheries and the revival of the sector.
Developing digital ecosystems for the commercialization of products. Given the pandemic situation, technology and digital tools will be vital to help the coastal communities with the sale and purchase of their products.
All response and recovery actions against COVID-19 must consider a gender perspective to be more inclusive and not generate inequalities, in order to achieve sustainability in SSF.
Product and market diversification to increase business resilience, as those who relied on a single product and market were significantly affected by the pandemic.
Considering the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries.
Securing basic infrastructure and services in fishing communities.
Yes
47
Fauna & Flora International
United KingdomEurope
Non-Governmental Organization
www.fauna-flora.org
Trends: increasing levels of unsustainable, destructive, or poorly managed fishing practices, market disruption and forced diversification to cover lost income for fishing communities.
Challenges: Target 14.4 highlights ‘destructive fishing’ as a key issue. A range of terminology is used in international frameworks to characterise destructive fishing, but lack of consensus limits our ability to systemically tackle the issue. SSF were deferentially impacted e.g. fishing effort increased in Pemba, Tanzania and decreased in Cambodia, Scotland and Nicaragua.
Opportunities: By better defining destructive fishing, we can better tailor solutions, track and quantify progress. FFI is leading a collaborative project to explore a possible definition.
Under the leadership of FFI, BirdLife Int., Univ. Cambridge & UNEP-WCMC are bringing stakeholders together to explore cross-sectoral perspectives on the meaning of ‘destructive’. FFI and partners welcome the UN, States and other stakeholders to engage and support this initiative moving forwards.
Better defining ‘destructive’ could lead to more meaningful implementation of global goals. Practical parameters need to be developed around its use, with fisheries and conservation sectors should collaborate.

Destructive fishing is a separate issue to IUU and overfishing, and needs specific policy actions.

Define “destructive fishing practices” and associated indicators for measuring progress be considered under relevant policy fora, including UNGA, COFI-FAO, RFMOs, CBD and uptake within binding or voluntary international commitments such as the SDG14.

Decisions to “reduce destructive fishing practices” are considered at all levels of policy-making, and are incorporated into seafood industry and artisanal fisher policies and practices.
Yes
48
African Union Development Agency-NEPAD
South AfricaAfrica
Intergovernmental Organisation
https://www.nepad.org
Challenges(Africa): Interrupted supply chains restricted access to inputs, markets; lack of post harvest processing inputs & value addition; Poor access to digital technology (digital divide) & technology for accessing pricing trends & marketing opportunities; Challenges for women & youth to properly engage across value chains; inadequate access to quality infrastructure (standards, conformity); Lack of data on stock & catch. Opportunities: improved access to digital technology & connectivity along value chain; regional integration of markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA); improved recognition of the role of SSF in decision-making & improved enabling environment for input into governance processes
Improved management, Capacity strengthening for MSMEs along the value chain; support access to digital technology solutions & innovation; Support post harvest processing, value addition & product diversification; improved quality infrastructure for ensuring food safety & security for consumers
Improved co-management of fisheries incl. data on stock status, catch effort, informal sector; mainstreaming gender along the fisheries value chain; climate adaptation technologies for SSF; improved access for fisheries actors along the value chain to digital tools & innovative technologies; improved quality infrastructure & harmonised standards across regions; better post-harvest processing & value addition
Yes
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