The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development covers 17 goals, the 14th of which is “Life Below Water”, namely: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Under this major goal, there are 10 targets, the 14.b of which is “Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.”

●Current Situation

Marine resources and markets not yet secured for small-scale fisheries

In September 2022, in parallel to the UN General Assembly, the FAO launched a report assessing the progress made on food and agriculture-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators. 

While the document generally “paints a bleak picture” with regards to the SDGs level of achievement, it suggests that the target for ensuring access for small-scale fishers to marine resources and markets (SDG 14b) has been reached in the last two years. This is highly questionable.

According to FAO, it’s in the bag: Indicator 14.b.1., assessing the “degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework that recognizes and protects access rights for small-scale fisheries,” has already been achieved. However, a closer look reveals that there is no data for most Small Islands and Developing Countries (SIDS), especially African ones, where there is a large proportion of small-scale fishers. 

Source: cffacape.org

China

Self-governing organizations of coastal small marine fishery fishermen under the background of rural revitalization strategy

Small-scale fisheries play an important role in food security, prevention and poverty alleviation in countries around the world, especially developing countries, and will play an even more important role in maintaining sustainable livelihoods and improving ecosystems in the coming decades. But whether this potential can be realized depends to a large extent on governance methods and governance effects. Promoting fishermen’s self-government through fishery self-government organization is an effective method of governance.

Organization and large-scale management of small-scale fisheries is an international trend in small-scale fisheries management. Under the background of the rural revitalization strategy, the government can decentralize the management right of small-scale fisheries to fishermen’s organizations and realize the self-government of small-scale fishery fisherman’s organizations, which is of great practical significance to the development of small-scale fishery self-governing organizations and helps to solve the problems of low performance, high cost and poor effect in the current management of small fisheries.

Source: reportway.org

International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 highlights contribution of small-scale fisheries

A recent study by FAO and the World Fish Center shows that 80 percent of the world’s aquaculture production comes from developing countries, where the number of artisanal fishermen is much higher than the number employed in medium and large aquaculture farms. During the 2022 International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, Qu Dongyu, director-general of FAO, said that the International Year will also contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, as the responsible and sustainable use of fisheries and aquaculture resources by small-scale artisanal fishers,aquaculture farmers and fish workers makes an important contribution to human well-being, healthy food systems and the eradication of poverty.

Source: china.com.cn

Senegalese fishermen assert their rights and call for sustainable development of artisanal fishing 

“We are frustrated that, despite our efforts, our policymakers and their partners often do not see us, value us, or even understand our needs.”

Fishermen are united in asserting their rights, including their work, economic and cultural rights, tol make decision makers take it seriously.

Dawda Sane, secretary general of the African Confederation of Artisanal Fisheries Professional Organizations (CAOPA), said it was “urgent” to implement a “concrete plan of action” to ensure a sustainable future for small-scale fisheries.

Source: weixin.qq.com

China

A fisherwoman turns around gorgeously to sell multiple varieties of aquatic fish, with an annual income of 80 million yuan

“We ordinary people recognize this truth. If you have a dream, you have to try it boldly. No matter how difficult the process is or how hard it is to realize it, if you work hard, you will have no regrets.”Jin Caiwen turned around from an ordinary person selling aquatic products with a basket, and found business opportunities in seafood. Through more than a decade of hard work and firmly grasping every opportunity, she has become a leader in the seafood market in Ningbo.

She manages more than 30 varieties of aquatic fish, and has an exclusive 61% share in the city’s largest aquatic product market, with an annual income of 80 million yuan.

Sources: author.baidu.com, The Paper

Shenzhen strives to promote the high-quality development of modern fishery

Fishery is an important part of marine economy and agricultural and rural economy. During the period of “the 14th Five-Year Plan”, Shenzhen will focus on the theme of high-quality development, realize the “acceleration” of the construction of a modern fishery industrial system, and cultivate the “high-yield fields” of the blue economy.

The “Shenzhen Modern Fishery Development Plan (2022-2025)” proposes that by 2025, the quality and efficiency of Shenzhen’s modern fishery development will be significantly improved, the economic aggregate will grow steadily, the industrial structure will become more reasonable, and the scientific research strength will be greatly enhanced, regional competitive modern industrial clusters will be formed, supply-side structural reforms will achieve phased results, aquatic product supply and guarantee capabilities and product quality will be comprehensively improved, fishery cultural characteristics will become more distinctive, fishery resource management will become more refined, fishery infrastructure will be more complete, and fishery cooperation with foreign countries will be further expanded, the fishery governance system and governance capabilities will reach the national advanced level, and the citizens’ sense of happiness and gain will be significantly enhanced. By that time, Shenzhen will become a leading area and demonstration area for the high-quality development of modern fisheries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Looking forward to 2035, Shenzhen’s modern fishery industry will enter a period of mature development, forming modern fishery industry clusters with international competitiveness, attractiveness, and influence. Its capabilities in basic scientific research and its achievement transformation will lead the country, and it will become a city paradigm for theinnovative development and integrated development of China’s modern fishery industry. The supply-side structural reform willfully demonstrate its effect, the aquatic product supply system will become more complete, and Shenzhen will become a fishery consumption experience center in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The soft power of fishery culture will be fully demonstrated, the resource management system will be comprehensive, and its role in global fishery cooperation will become more prominent, forming a scientific and efficient fishery governance system. Shenzhen will become a demonstration area for China’s modern fishery management reform, a characteristic benchmark for the high-quality development of modern fishery, and a creative modern fishery capital.

Source: digimarine.cn

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiated by the United Nations

On January 1, 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including 169 targets, of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. Countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.