Please find below a contribution to the e-consultation, which provides input in the context of fisheries and aquaculture in the Near East and North Africa.
The below text reflects the consolidated contributions from:
Piero Mannini, Senior Fishery Officer, FAO RNE (Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa)
David Currie, Fishery and Aquaculture Officer, FAO SNG (Subregional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council States & Yemen)
Cherif Toueilib, Fishery and Aquaculture Officer, FAO SNE (Subregional Office for North Africa)
Lori Curtis, Fisheries Socio-Economist, FAO RNE (Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa)
- How can the implementation of the FAO “Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and Aquaculture” be further improved globally for sustainable aquatic resource management?
In the Near East and North Africa region (RNE), much of the fisheries are contained in relatively enclosed waterbodies, where stocks are shared between a number of different countries, (eg. Mediterranean, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Gulf), in addition to the number of transboundary freshwater systems (Nile, Tigris-Euphrates, Senegal River). In this context, a regional approach for developing field programmes that embody the ecosystem approach to fisheries and aquaculture will enhance the effectiveness of the CCRF, particularly in the area of shared stocks, where one country applying the CCRF is rendered much less effective unless all concerned parties implement the same. Regional fishery bodies such as GFCM, RECOFI and CSRP COPACE can be used as a platform to address these, as well as the creation of a regional fisheries management mechanism/arrangement for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. A specific effort should be undertaken to increase the participatory approach and private and public cooperation to implement the CCRF guidelines as well as to harmonize statistics, stock assessment, legislation and management mechanisms concerning the shared stock and role of recruitment, breeding and nursing areas.
- How will nations maintain the integrity of the resource base (the source of food) in the face of these pressures, and the livelihoods dependent on them?
Engaging in fisheries management at different levels; ensuring engagement at the community, national and regional levels is key for supporting an ecosystem approach to maintaining the integrity of the resource base. As mentioned above, regional cooperation is critical, as water bodies in RNE are all shared; cooperation between countries, and between different stakeholders on the use of ecosystem services is essential. Additionally, fishing is one of a number of activities which use and interact with the ecosystem; engagement for adopting a multi-disciplinary approach and providing a platform for this engagement is critical to ensure that all actors interacting with the ecosystem understand their relationship with it in terms of their livelihoods activities, and to develop actions to minimize these impacts. Understanding and disseminating knowledge on the functions and services provided by these systems and how to work in a manner that is harmonized with the ecosystem is important for optimal results, improved efficiency and sustainability. An example in the Near East North Africa Region which demonstrates how a lack of understanding of these systems and functions can contribute to the unsustainable exploitation of resources is the over-exploitation of the sea cucumber in the Red Sea; a regional fisheries management plan informed by a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem services and functions with the engagement of resource users can provide a starting point for a sustainable fishery where stakeholders are able to benefit from ecosystems while minimizing impacts. Lastly, regional concerted multidisciplinary suites of fisheries and aquaculture performance and sustainability are needed to tackle resources sustainability at both the national and regional levels.
Sub regional management plans for shared stocks and reducing fishing capacity efforts on resources that demonstrate serious indications of overfishing should be promoted, for example for sardines, octopus in North Africa. The Morocco and Mauritanian Octopus plan is one example in terms of formulation but the implementation still requires further efforts. By-catch management plans can also contribute to reducing overfishing of the main demersal fisheries as they can spread the global effort on the fishing area and fishing species.
- What are the key socioeconomic issues which affect the sustainability and development of fisheries and aquaculture?
A number of activities in the Near East and North Africa region have been undertaken in order to better understand the socio-economic dimensions of fisheries. The Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI) held a workshop on the “Social and Economic Aspects of Fisheries in the RECOFI Region” (report available online: http://www.fao.org/docrep/016/i3032e/i3032e.pdf), the discussion at which raised a number of issues, some which may be common among fishers globally and some which may be unique to the Region, for example, the high rate of foreign laborers engaging in the sector, with limited rights and relationship with the geographic area. As well, that fishers are often seriously impacted by coastal development with which they have no engagement or involvement.
Additionally, an assessment of the social and economic context of fishers in Egypt demonstrated that the socio-economic context can be very different within one country, for example fishers fishing along the Nile face different challenges than those fishing in the Red Sea or the Mediterranean, and the same is experienced in countries along the Atlantic. Additionally, the impact of the increase in aquaculture production is key in keeping the prices of fish low and thus maintaining its critical role as a protein source for the poor, however fishers in the Nile who are struggling with apparently stabilized production levels and rising costs are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their livelihoods. Adding to this is the growing economic and political instability in parts of the region, which results in limited options for livelihood diversification. In certain parts of Egypt, fisheries are engaged in by a number of household members, some of the work is not necessarily valued, eg. women’s involvement in cleaning nets, etc., and so the whole supply chain needs to be considered in order to take all socio-economic issues into account. Additionally, a lack of organization of the fishers creates a sense of powerlessness and makes it extremely difficult to engage with policy makers at higher levels. The development of fisher associations can be a mechanism through which to engage with fishers, and for fishers to have their concerns addressed at higher levels. Engaging in fisheries management at different levels, and ensuring engagement at the community, national and regional levels are all included is a critical component to ensure that policies and decisions are meaningful and effective.
The FAO EastMed project has begun to engage in the socio-economics of fisheries in Lebanon, the results and discussions of which are detailed in the recently published report, available here: http://www.faoeastmed.org/pdf/publications/EastMed_TD16.pdf
In the case of Atlantic fisheries some important results coming out from the APAM project in Mauritania and the TCP on small scale fisheries project in Morocco or the clumps project in Tunisia shows that the contribution of small scale fisheries in terms of employment, added value and food security or gender and youth activities see: www.fao.org/news/story/fr/item/73856/icode/ and http://www.imrop.mr/
The conflict that occurs between industrial and artisanal fleets, particularly in the coastal zones is reducing the contribution of small scale fisheries. A best geographic management and adapted distribution of effort will certainly optimize the outcomes of fisheries in terms of food security
- To what extent can contributions be made to policy development and have considerable impact on securing small-scale fisheries/artisanal fisheries in their fundamental rights and creating benefits, especially in terms of food security and poverty reduction?
FAO held a meeting entitled “Near East and North Africa Regional Consultative Meeting on Securing Small-Scale Fisheries: Bringing Together Responsible Fishing and Social Development”, in March 2012 in the Sultanate of Oman. The meeting report is available here: http://www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2720e/i2720e.pdf and the main outcomes with regards to policy making included:
- Better cross-sectoral coordination and policy coherence are needed – at national and regional levels – avoiding contradictory objectives.
- The involvement of all stakeholders, including in particular small-scale fisheries communities, in policy and decision-making processes is essential. Improved coordination among CSOs is also required.
- The small-scale fisheries sector needs to be included in national development policies and plans. Such plans should also take the sustainability of resources into consideration.
When it is possible and appropriate, small scale fisheries should benefit from specific management and development plans that lead to increase the share of small scale fisherman and women. The impact of producing for foreign markets and local markets must be considered, as well as the how small-scale fisheries can contribute to and benefit from local markets and consumption. Small scale producers organizations can play a very important role to promote participation of the small scale fisheries actors in the conception and implementation of a sustainable policies and plans
- How can the gender specific needs and rights of women be protected through enforceable rights over land, water resources, credit and other related matters?
In much of the region, women face social constraints in access to livelihoods opportunities and resources, and in some cases in their rights over land. Progress has been made on these issues over the last few decades however in response to pressure and support from both international and local actors. The ‘Arab Spring’ has also played a role in democratization and greater awareness of women’s rights. International organizations such as the United Nations can continue to influence member countries towards more balanced treatment of men and women and the strengthening of enforceable rights to resources and the ownership of land. Communications at the base and top level can facilitate the participation of more women in small scale fisheries, and granting credit and facilities in their favor particularly in terms of product valorization will be beneficial. Networking involving women from various sub region to share success is another means for encouraging and facilitating the participation of women.
- What continuous improvements in institutional capacities (both national and regional) is critical for the success of management and governance of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture?
Institutional capacity in the Near East North Africa region is a critical challenge impacting fisheries management. Technical capacity on the importance of working with fish as a shared resource is important. Cooperation and collaboration between government, research institutes, the private sector and CSOs across the Region can facilitate a growing network of those with the required technical expertise in certain areas on issues which are common across the Region.
- How sustainable aquaculture can be promoted for food security and nutrition, as well as livelihoods, into the longer term?
Climate change impacts, competition for scarce water resources, and population increases in the Near East North Africa Region result in the need for stable fish production as a means for food security. The amount and types of water resources available must be considered in order to appropriately develop policies on sustainable aquaculture. The approach must be multi-disciplinary and engage with not only Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries, but also Ministries responsible for water resources and irrigation. In some cases, where freshwater systems feed into marine systems, (Nile, Shatt Al-Arab), given the changing environment and the interaction between the different water types, marine tolerant species should be considered. Projections on future water allocation and plans, as well as climate change projections with regards to their impact on available water resources must be taken into account. FAO has been engaging in a number of reviews and activities in the Region, including policy prospective for the water use of the Shatt Al-Arab for fisheries and aquaculture in Iraq; a review of fisheries and aquaculture activities in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin including Syria, Turkey and Iraq and is working with member countries to develop aquaculture systems and production.
- What policies are necessary for fair and improved trading?
There are opportunities created by connecting with markets in countries that were previously difficult to reach; these countries/markets can create demand for new species that were not previously exploited, however understanding how to properly manage these sectors and species are key for ensuring the sustainability of the sector. Additionally, and particularly with small-scale fishers, understanding and communicating the value-added options in terms of processing and identifying different end users is key to ensure that households that may be more vulnerable are able to maximize potential benefits from the sector. Ensuring training and education on the entire supply chain can assist fishers increase their power in the value-chain; particularly as they are often the most vulnerable currently; eg. Nile fishers do not have much power in influencing price as there are limited traders and consumers prefer fresh fish, meaning fishers have limited time from catch to sales.
The facilitation and adoption of trade procedures and regulation measures throughout the region that is beneficial for small-scale and artisanal fishers is required. Viewing the Near East and North Africa region as a unique and global market and production area to encourage partnerships and cooperation between producers themselves and the private sector. Transaction financial procedures and regulations and currencies rate are also important aspects to be facilitated as these currently acts as constraints which reduce trade within this area. Sanitary regulation from country to country should be harmonized to better facilitate trade options.
- What would promote fish value chain development that supports food security and nutrition?
Education on the entire value chain, understanding how waste is actually income loss, identifying end markets and knowledge on how to utilize fish catch more fully can all be used to promote fish value chain development.
Providing information on various markets and uses of fish products and to encourage fishers and decision makers to produce for food security for the poor. The promotion of the artisanal process for conservation and the valorization of artisanal products are also key. Promotion of a different methods for cooking fish can be undertaken, as well as better promotion of the nutritional benefits of fish.
- What other policies and relevant technology options are available for waste minimization, better resource accountability and management?
- To look at Policies and technology options as an element of a global approach of food security strategy and not to take it far from the global context. To create a kind of complementarities throughout the cold process adapted to various type of food: animal meat, fruit, fish to reduce the cost of industry particularly rural areas.
- Solar energy promotion can improve consumption of fish and create a next way to prepare new artisanal fish products
- Scholar education and communication is necessary in the Near East and North AFrica region to change the behavior and increase consumption per inhabitant
Piero Mannini, David Currie, Cherif Toueilib, Lori CurtisLori Curtis