RISE UP- A Blue Call to Action

Great to be in Brussels Ocean Week to engage in discussions about protecting Europe’s seas and supporting coastal communities. 🌊 The Rethink Fisheries event was a highlight, where fishers, NGOs, and stakeholders gathered in a tent beneath the iconic Democracy sign outside the European Parliament. The bold message on the roof of the tent , visible from Parliament offices, urged the policy makers above to 'Rethink Fisheries’. We need to listen to small-scale, low impact fishers and we stop bottom trawling in our Marine Protected Areas now! If you haven’t already please sign the petition: https://lnkd.in/ea3_Kgp2 There’s also a recently released report on fishing for a new era here: https://lnkd.in/ebB3v-sy I also attended the launch of the Blue Manifesto—a powerful call to action for policymakers to restore and protect our ocean by 2030. This vision aligns closely with RISE UP’s goals, ensuring marine ecosystems that support thriving coastal communities. Find out more about this roadmap to a healthy ocean here: https://lnkd.in/ep57teFm Today was an opportunity to meet MEPa in an ‘ocean lab and tomorrow is packed with events- I'm looking forward to learning how criminalizing ecocide—defined as the large-scale destruction of ecosystems—could serve as a powerful legal mechanism to combat threats such as pollution, deep-sea mining, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. It’s been wonderful connecting with so many inspiring ocean advocates this week. Lots to take away and loads of work to be done. #EUOceanWeek! Seas At Risk, Blue Ventures, Oceana in Europe, Only One, Blue Marine Foundation, WWF, @patagonia

Last month I was able to attend the webinar that brought together over 100 representatives from various civil society organizations to explore The Rules of Conduct for Working with Small-Scale Fishers (SSF) in the context of marine and coastal conservation. The session aimed to educate participants on the principles developed by small-scale fisher movements, share best practices, and encourage organizations to commit to actions that support SSF communities being moderated by Sivaja Nair Main Topics Covered: .The significance of equitable and inclusive partnerships with small-scale fishers. .Best practices for implementing the Rules of Conduct in daily operations. .The need for robust advocacy and capacity-building initiatives within SSF communities. .The importance of respecting traditional knowledge alongside scientific research in marine conservation efforts. .Strategies for ensuring the voices of SSF are heard and valued in policy discussions and decision-making. This interesting webinar successfully facilitated dialogue among stakeholders, emphasizing the need for collaboration, consent, and respect when working with small-scale fishers. There's a collective commitment to the implementation of the SSF guidelines towards fostering sustainable marine environments that benefit both the ocean and the communities that rely on it. There was the feeling of encouragement to propagate the principles discussed and actively engage in practices that promote equity and justice for small-scale fishing communities. I've shared link to the rules of contact in comments #fisheries #fisheriesmanagement #MPA #SSF #coastalcommunities #ocean #transparency #equity #partnership #ecosystems #sustainability #environment

Great to be in Brussels Ocean Week to engage in discussions about protecting Europe’s seas and supporting coastal communities. 🌊 The Rethink Fisheries event was a highlight, where fishers, NGOs, and stakeholders gathered in a tent beneath the iconic Democracy sign outside the European Parliament. The bold message on the roof of the tent , visible from Parliament offices, urged the policy makers above to 'Rethink Fisheries’. We need to listen to small-scale, low impact fishers and we stop bottom trawling in our Marine Protected Areas now! If you haven’t already please sign the petition: https://lnkd.in/ea3_Kgp2 There’s also a recently released report on fishing for a new era here: https://lnkd.in/ebB3v-sy I also attended the launch of the Blue Manifesto—a powerful call to action for policymakers to restore and protect our ocean by 2030. This vision aligns closely with RISE UP’s goals, ensuring marine ecosystems that support thriving coastal communities. Find out more about this roadmap to a healthy ocean here: https://lnkd.in/ep57teFm Today was an opportunity to meet MEPa in an ‘ocean lab and tomorrow is packed with events- I'm looking forward to learning how criminalizing ecocide—defined as the large-scale destruction of ecosystems—could serve as a powerful legal mechanism to combat threats such as pollution, deep-sea mining, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. It’s been wonderful connecting with so many inspiring ocean advocates this week. Lots to take away and loads of work to be done. #EUOceanWeek! Seas At Risk, Blue Ventures, Oceana in Europe, Only One, Blue Marine Foundation, WWF, @patagonia

Happy to have Co-ordinated this 💻 webinar on 'rules of conduct for partnering with small-scale fishers and fishworkers in the changing landscapes of collaborations 🤝 in coastal and marine ecosystems 🌊 #SSF #SSFGuidelines #biodiversity #livelihoods #HRBA Watch the recording here, in case you missed it ⏺️ https://lnkd.in/gufsPiiP

🎉 Congratulations to the Maldives 🇲🇻 for formally ratifying the #HighSeasTreaty today! This marks a significant step in advancing ocean protection and marine biodiversity. With more Asian nations expected to follow later this week, the momentum for safeguarding the high seas continues to build. #UNGA79 #BBNJ #RaceForRatification #30x30 #HighSeas 📸 Photo credit: Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy of Maldives featuring the Maldives Environment Minister and Foreign Minister

📢Durant le webinaire organisé par RISE UP- A Blue Call to Action le 19 septembre, #Béatrice_Gorez, coordinatrice de la CFFA Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements, a rappelé le rôle crucial de son organisation dans la défense de la pêche artisanale : - Basée en #Europe, CAPE travaille sur les accords de pêche entre l'UE et les pays tiers, et intervient auprès des institutions européennes. - Elle collabore également avec la société civile africaine pour fournir des conseils et des informations. Et c'est à elle de parler à leurs décideurs. - Béatrice a souligné que #CAPE a soutenu l'Appel à l'action et s'est engagée à adopter les règles de conduite pour collaborer efficacement avec les pêcheurs. - Elle a insisté sur le fait qu'il ne suffit pas de signer ces engagements, mais qu’il est essentiel de les mettre en œuvre dans les collaborations. - Bien que l'Appel à l'action ne couvre pas tous les sujets, il représente une base solide pour renforcer le dialogue entre les ONG et les professionnels de la pêche artisanale. Sivaja Nair Flora McMorrin Lena Westlund Mariana Toussaint Gaoussou GUEYE