World Fisheries Day 2021 “Stemming the tide: Together we can stop Human Rights violations at sea!” Opening Remarks
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
22/11/2021
World Fisheries Day 2021
“Stemming the tide: Together we can stop Human Rights violations at sea!”
Opening Remarks
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
As prepared
22 November 2021
Dear Colleagues,
1. World Fisheries Day was established by small-scale fisher folk associations to celebrate a profession that supports the livelihoods of 1 in every 10 people on the planet.
2. It is therefore fitting that FAO, together with the Holy See, on this occasion deliver a strong message of support for improving the working conditions in the fisheries sector.
3. FAO has a long history of supporting the millions of women and men, and indigenous peoples, around the globe who work in the fisheries sector.
4. An important sector in the agro-food system value chain that offers important opportunities, particularly in developing countries, for gainful employment,
5. For building strong and vibrant coastal communities, and ensuring food security and nutritious diets for the population.
6. Fish and fishery products are among the most traded food commodities worldwide, totaling more than 163 billion US Dollars in export revenues in 2019.
7. With developing countries having increased their share of the total value of international fish trade to more than 54% in 2019.
8. Unfortunately, the same industry that offers many opportunities to fishers and fish workers can also victimize the vulnerable through abuses of workers’ rights.
9. These include non-transparent recruitment practices that do not ensure proper pay for work done; labour abuse, forced labour, child labour and others.
10. We need to give a voice to these workers and stand behind them in their fight for Decent Work.
11. Through increased collaboration between all stakeholders – including countries, international organizations, fisher folk associations, the private sector, labour unions, civil society organizations, and consumers.
12. The FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries sets out the principles of sustainable fisheries management,
13. And has led to the development of supporting instruments and guidelines, such as the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication.
14. FAO is also developing new guidelines on social responsibility for companies in the sector.
15. The ILO landmark convention “Work in Fishing” is a powerful instrument to combat unacceptable forms of work in the fisheries sector.
16. FAO will continue working with the ILO and FAO Members to support improving the working and living conditions of fishing communities.
Dear Colleagues,
17. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the fisheries sector, and on the livelihoods of people who depend on it.
18. Fishers were isolated without the possibility of getting back to their home countries, they were not able to market their catch, or were prevented from fishing thereby losing their livelihoods.
19. However, the sector also showed its resilience and ability to adapt to the critical situation.
20. Fishers started to use the internet and social networks to sell their fish,
21. Many governments put up social security schemes sustaining the livelihoods of fishers,
22. And fishers were classified as essential workers, allowing them to go back to fishing.
23. At the same time, technological innovation has increased digitalization of processes throughout the supply chain.
24. We need to work together to face the complex challenges with long, global value chains and to guarantee that the aquatic food that reaches our plates has been harvested or farmed in an environmentally sustainable manner,
25. And in a way that supports the socio-economic well-being of those who harvest, farm and process it.
26. In line with Sustainable Development Goal 8, which addresses decent work in all sectors – and the fisheries and aquaculture should not be an exception!
27. Through international collaboration across all segments of the aquatic value chain, we can ensure Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for all fisher folk – leaving no one behind!
28. Thank you.