Fishery Policy Group Calls for Practical Solutions, not Platitudes
April 15, 2024 Athens, Greece – Heading into the 9th Annual Our Ocean Conference, the International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) is calling on policy makers to make fisheries management recommendations that are realistic and holistic.
In a resolution posted on the group’s website (fishcoalition.org), they note that without a balanced approach, people starve; active fisheries management works, lines on a map don’t; and the Blue Economy is as green as it gets.
People Starve Without a Balanced Approach: A balance among conservation, sustainable use of natural resources and food security is important.
Active Fisheries Management Works, Lines on a Map Don’t: Effective fisheries management is the strongest tool to simultaneously protect ocean health while also fostering human development. Focusing solely on creating Marine Protected Areas without considering the sustainable use of marine resources and the needs of coastal communities may have detrimental effects on food security and livelihoods.
The Blue Economy is as Green as It Gets: The fishing industry is committed to being an active participant in solutions for climate change resilience. It is crucial to recognize that fisheries products, with their low carbon footprint and essential nutritional value, play a pivotal role in achieving global climate objectives.
ICFA’s Immediate Past Chair Javier Garat will attend the conference and will participate in a side event hosted by the European Bureau for Conservation and Development entitled “Food Security: The Role of Sustainable Aquatic Blue Foods in the Green Transition.” ICFA member Esben Sverdup-Jensen from Danish Pelagic Producers Organisation will be participating in Plenary Session VII: Promoting Sustainable Fisheries, scheduled for April 17.
ICFA includes 24 seafood industry associations from Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Latin America. The coalition participates in the Convention on Biological Diversity, the FAO Committee on Fisheries, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, among others.
ICFA is in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
