Fisheries in Small Island Development States (SIDS) in the focus at the Third SIDS Solution Dialogue

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) remain strongly affected by climate change, natural disasters and other external shocks including the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fisheries sector is of particular importance for the SIDS both from a food security and employment perspective. Fish products account for about 70% of SIDS exports and are inextricably linked to sustainable development. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been detrimental to the fisheries sector of SIDS though and is affecting their food security and employment opportunities.

That was the main message conveyed by the participants of the third Global SIDS Solutions Dialogue jointly organized by the FAO Liaison Offices in Brussels, Geneva and New York and the FAO Office of Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries.

This third edition within the Dialogue series highlighted the need to improve SIDS' ability in achieving resilience in fisheries while stressing the importance of transforming aquatic food systems.

Presenting the main findings of the State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 Report, as they relate to SIDS–specific challenges, Director of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Manuel Barange, explained that while ‘’ global fisheries and aquaculture production is at a record high,’’ SIDS are experiencing a high degree of variability. ‘’Fish stocks remain under pressure but there are encouraging signs,’’ he said. Barange continued by presenting FAO’s vision for a Blue Transformation, showcasing a series of actions designed to support resilience in aquatic food systems and ensure fisheries and aquaculture grow sustainably while leaving no one behind.

Samuel K. Jr. Lanwi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United Nations in Geneva, emphasized the relevance of aquatic foods for food security in his country, highlighting the important role of fisheries management and the importance of building resilience to climate change.

Satish Kumar Khadun, Assistant Director of Fisheries in the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping of Mauritius stressed how Mauritius is focusing on the Blue Economy as a new frontier for development and noted that fisheries had always been a major part of the island’s economy.

Addressing the issue of the current barriers and opportunities for small-scale fisheries to trade in international markets, Dr Yvette Diei Ouadi, Fishery Industry Officer at the FAO Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean, emphasized how aquaculture in the Caribbean is underdeveloped, due to key gaps in investments and resources management. Limited access to resources and services, climate change, natural disasters, and Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices were among the barriers mentioned.

In her closing remarks H.E. Harriet Sena Siaw-Boateng, Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to Belgium, Permanent Representative of Ghana to the European Union and Chair of the OACPS Working Group on Fisheries stated that ‘’The fisheries and aquaculture sector is vital to the health, well-being, and sustainable development of small island developing states. This Third Dialogue, which focuses specifically on fisheries, is extremely timely and very welcome in view of the multiple challenges the sector is facing"

The dialogue was moderated by Angélica María Jácome Daza, Director of the FAO Office of SIDS, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries.

You can watch the recording here (Password: !x*2J56c)

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