International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF)’s Post

West African countries have pioneered reform in artisanal fisheries, however, there are still obstacles to co-management in the region, says Hugh Govan: 💪Lack of political will 💶Low budgeting 🤝Poorly defined roles and responsibilities 🧑⚖️Lack of enforcement ✊Inadequate human rights In our latest policy brief, Hugh Govan identifies the emerging challenges for effective implementation of co-management in West Africa and recommends: 🔍More transparency 💶More funding for small-scale fisheries 👨👩👧👦Support for fishers organisations 🖐️More participation and greater attention to human rights and equity 🚢Enforced regulations for industrial fisheries https://lnkd.in/epSmMfRp

In early March 2024, Aruna invited Aruna Fishers in South Halmahera, North Maluku, to participate in technical guidance (TG) and help small fishers comply with fisheries policies. It was held by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the USAID Bersama Kelola Perikanan (Ber-IKAN) program. The local Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Fisheries and Marine Service of North Maluku and South Halmahera, the Technical Implementation Unit of Bacan Fishing Port, and Fisheries Extension Officers of South Halmahera Regency also attended this agenda. In particular, the TG initiated by both USAID Ber-IKAN and Aruna included several materials, such as sailing and fishing operations, an introduction to work safety and first aid in accidents, principles and techniques for handling fish on board, and fish unloading standards. Furthermore, the TG was an effort to assist Aruna Fishers in obtaining Fisher Proficiency Certification, Fish Handling Skills Certification, as well as Good Fish Handling Methods. These were actions to improve small-scale fisheries governance. The collaboration assessed four things, namely increasing the adoption and compliance of evidence-based fisheries policies, strengthening small-scale fisheries governance, increasing market incentives for sustainable seafood products, and increasing the protection of endangered and protected marine species that are heavily affected by fisheries activities. Wildan, Small-Scale Fisheries Lead, USAID Ber-IKAN, stated, "Not only focusing on climate resilience, this program also aims to implement the concept of sustainability, while strengthening the livelihoods of small-scale fisheries communities, especially those representing minority groups, such as women, young people, and indigenous peoples. USAID Ber-IKAN is also grateful that Aruna can help engage coastal communities. We’ve come together to learn, to strive, and to make the Indonesian sea a natural resource utilized by ‘qualified’ people." #SeaForAll

It's all too easy to endorse policies but governments must clearly make budgetary provisions to ensure implementation - these are measurable and should be part of monitoring SSF policies. A whole of government approach should be taken - success or failure will have impact across multiple sectors: national and local food security and nutrition, health, employment, poverty alleviation, gender equality and conservation. SSF policies should include realistic and detailed budget and resource implications incorporated into national and local budgets; governments and donors should be held to account in meeting them. This requires realization from donors of the inadequacy of project modalities and a reappraisal of sector budget support.

TODAY is #Worldfisheriesday2023 🎣 This years theme is: “Investing in social protection to secure equitable Blue Transformation in the fisheries sector” 🐟At SwedBio in our Small-Scale Fisheries theme, we work to contribute to more sustainable and equitable governance and management of social-ecological aquatic systems that uplift small-scale fishers/farmers, fishworkers and people involved in the value chain. 🫱🏼🫲🏾Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) play a crucial role in food security and nutrition for many families, as well as an essential role in local economies, providing livelihood to many and enabling access to basic needs and services. However, SSF still lack recognition and decision-making power when it comes to ocean governance. 🌎Together with our partners we focus on strengthening the recognition of SSF in decision-making in policy arenas. WAYS TO ENGAGE ✅Make sure to check out our SSF partners work: ICSF CoopeSolidar R.L. @IPC Crocevia @SNEHA @SDF Wildlife Conservation Society Myanmar Natural Justice @FIAN Uganda @MPP @CPP ✅Join us at the #SSFSummit2024, a gathering of Small Scale Fisheries Peoples shaping the future of sustainable and equitable small-scale fisheries. Be part of the transformation! 5-7 July 2024 | Rome, Italy. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dDax4eR4

A new report “Rethinking Fisheries Subsidies”, analysed fisheries subsidies for the period 2014-2020 in 12 major Mediterranean economies revealing that over €1.3 billion (47% of overall amount) had been used to subsidise fuel, seafood processing and boat construction and renovation. Only € 957 million (36%) were used to improve fisheries management and controls or on biodiversity protection. Although small-scale fishers make up the vast majority of the Mediterranean fleets and generally have a lower environmental impact than industrial fishing, small vessels (below 12 mt) received a negligible 3% of EU public support. https://lnkd.in/dYjeqaSG

Marine biodiversity in the Northeast Atlantic - from plankton to large fish, from seabirds to seabeds - is in a worrying state. All the region's ocean-focussed sectors & regulators - especially fisheries managers - should play close attention to the OSPAR #QSR2023 report. All human pressures act cumulatively to drive declines but fishing pressure often exerts the most stressors to the most different kinds of marine wildlife: 🐟 "OSPAR targets of achieving 80% of stocks/species in good status were not reached for coastal, demersal or pelagic fish" 🎣 In the Greater North Sea and Celtic Seas, long-term declines of the proportion of large fish in demersal fish communities "would suggest that reductions in fishing pressure are required to allow a return to a recovery trajectory" 🐣 Marine birds are almost all in poor state, with poor breeding rates linked to prey availability which is "likely to be driven by ecosystem-specific changes, possibly initiated by commercial fisheries" 🕸 Food webs are "of great concern". In some regions "dominant energy pathways upon which species rely are already altering". The findings and recommendations of the 2023 OSPAR report demand a departure from the status quo. Fisheries managers must acknowledge that, although fishing is their primary focus, they have a responsibility to modify their strategies to adapt and account for fisheries impacts on ecosystems. https://lnkd.in/eb35sUtn 

Europêche expresses high hopes for better European fisheries policies post-election. “Only together can we achieve a higher degree of environmental protection and socioeconomic progress while nurturing [the European] population with low-impact and healthy food." #EuropeanUnion #EU #fisheries #sustainability

We are excited to share our recent contribution to INFOFISH International, issue 5/2023, titled ‘Umigyo’ in small-scale fisheries in Japan: how protecting life above water leads to protecting life below water. In this article, the author and IPNLF trustee, Yinji Li, discusses the vital role of small-scale fisheries in Japan and their unique “Umigyo” approach to sustainability. Yinji highlights the historical significance of “small is beautiful” in agriculture and how a similar ethos is emerging in the realm of small-scale fisheries. While these small-scale fisheries are facing a number of challenges due to recent policy changes, Yinji argues that the concept of “Umigyo” offers a strategy for Japan to fulfill its responsibilities as a leader in marine and fisheries industries, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/gvdhEETH #Umigyo #smallscalefisheries #Japan #SDGs #fisheries #sustainability

🌊In the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, where the turquoise waters stretch beyond the horizon, nations come together annually to safeguard one of their most vital resources – tuna. 🎯This December marks a historic milestone as the Cook Islands🇨🇰 assumes the mantle of hosting the 20th Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Annual Meeting, a significant event for Small Island Developing States (SIDs) in the region. For two decades, the WCPFC has been a pivotal platform, uniting nations to collaboratively manage highly migratory fish stocks🐟 in the Pacific. The Cook Islands, nestled in the heart of Polynesia, brings a unique perspective as a host nation, emphasizing the challenges and aspirations of SIDs in sustaining their fisheries. Moreover, the Cook Islands actively engages in other Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, solidifying its standing as a leader in fisheries development and management within our Pacific community. This includes not only participation in all WCPFC meetings but also membership in the Northern Committee, alongside active involvement in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization🌏 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀' 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: 𝗔 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗦 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 The significance of a Small Islands Developed States (SIDS) hosting the WCPFC Annual Meeting cannot be overstated. Small island nations, often vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and with limited resources, hold a crucial stake in sustainable fisheries. The symbolism lies in the acknowledgment of the unique challenges faced by these nations, particularly their dependency on marine resources for sustenance and economic stability.🌊 🎯Article 30 of the WCPFC Convention explicitly recognizes the special requirements of developing States Parties, especially SIDS, in the conservation and management of highly migratory fish stocks. The Cook Islands, in stepping into the role of host, amplifies the voice of SIDs, advocating for measures that support their aspirations to develop and manage their domestic fisheries. (Check the second part in the comment section)👇 🤝 Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)

Deep cuts to Argentina's public sector could harm sustainability of fisheries, CeDePesca warns - SeafoodSource Deep cuts to Argentina's public sector could harm sustainability of fisheries, CeDePesca warns  SeafoodSource