World Fisheries Day: Fisheries and Aquaculture value chains – a Cornerstone of Agrifood System Transformation

In honour of World Fisheries Day, celebrated on 21 November each year, the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels organized a virtual event with the title  “Sustainable fish value chains as a cornerstone for agri-food systems transformation to “build back better”.

The event was opened by FAO Brussels Director Raschad Al-Khafaji who was joined by representatives from the European Commission Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), the European Parliament, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Fisheries Division of FAO. The event was moderated by Marco Frederiksen, Acting Director of the EUROFISH International Organization.

FAO Brussels Director Raschad Al-Khafaji welcomed the participants and highlighted fisheries and aquaculture as a key sector that is crucial for the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems. “The sector of fisheries and aquaculture offers important opportunities to build strong and vibrant coastal communities and ensure food security and nutritious diets,” he said.

DG MARE’s Felix Leinemann joined the FAO Brussels Director in giving the opening remarks to the event and stated the commitment of the European Union to global sustainable management of aquatic resources and to ocean governance. “Our commitment to promoting the sustainable management of resources and ocean governance goes beyond borders,” he said. “We are cooperating with organizations like FAO to achieve this. Today’s event is a good example of this and please know you can count on us.” he continued.

After the welcoming remarks, Cristelle Pratt, Assistant Secretary-General for Climate and Environment at the OACPS; Caroline Roose, Member of the European Parliament; Simo Tiainen, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee and Audun Lem, Deputy Director of the FAO Fisheries Division took part in a panel discussion on sustainable fish value chains.

OACPS Assistant Secretary-General Pratt highlighted the low recognition that women receive for their contributions to fisheries value chains. She explained that the low amount of attention given to this demographic translates to policies not being adequately adapted to the context of women. The OACPS Assistant Secretary-General noted the valuable role of small-scale fisheries businesses in OACPS economies, with 60 members of the organization being reliant on fish export. In some of those countries, fish exports account for more than half of their commodity export earnings. She made clear that the continuing harmful practices in the industry, such as overfishing, harmful fisheries subsidies, illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as pollution are placing fish stocks under enormous pressure while undermining livelihoods.

Member of the European Parliament Caroline Roose touched on sustainable artisanal fishing and its crucial role for global food security. She also alluded to the important role of women in fisheries value chains and highlighted the added value that they create for local communities.

FAO’s Audun Lem presented the importance of holistic approaches to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, highlighting the social and economic relevance of the sector in ensuring sustainable livelihoods. He made clear that policymakers will need to build on FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and all related instruments to strengthen fisheries management. The Deputy Director emphasized that ILO convention 188, which refers to “Work in Fishing Convention” as well as the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures are powerful tools against IUU fishing and its subsequent human rights violations. He also made mention of FAO’s work on the development of guidelines for social responsibility in the fisheries and agriculture value chains which addresses all the elements of the value chain, from primary production to distribution and retail. These upcoming guidelines will be presented to FAO’s subcommittee on fish trade next year.

ESSC Member Simo Tiainen emphasized the role of scientific knowledge and digital solutions as key actors for a sustainable blue economy. Tiainen is also the rapporteur on the EESC’s opinion on the European Commission’s new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU, which was unanimously adopted in September of 2021.

The event was closed by the Ambassador of Ghana to the European Union and Chair of the OACPS Working Group on Fisheries, Harriet Sena Siaw-Boateng. The Ambassador told the audience that it is essential to bring hope and opportunity to small-scale fisheries communities in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific and urged the international community to act for strengthened and enhanced sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture. Concluding, she highlighted the recently launched International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as a key opportunity in this regard.

You can read more about FAO’s work on Fisheries and Aquaculture here.