1. How can the implementation of the FAO “Code of Conduct “for Responsible Fisheries and Aquaculture” be further improved globally for sustainable aquatic resource management?
The third principle set out by the “Code of Conduct “for Responsible Fisheries and Aquaculture” is referred to serving as an instrument of reference to help States to establish or to improve the legal and institutional framework required for the exercise of responsible fisheries and in the formation and implementation of appropriate measure. In addition, the seventh is concerning the encouragement of protection of living aquatic resources, and their environments and coastal areas.
Then, these two principles lead us to the fact that at-sea and fresh waters fishery observer programmes will be able to become one of the key ways to further improve sustainable aquatic resource management, or at least a strategic tool for getting more realistic results regarding sustainable aquatic resource management.
Consequently, the “Role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition” may include the link between the implementation of observer programmes for any kind of fisheries, based on the “Guidelines for Developing an At-Sea Fishery Observer Programme”, and the “Code of Conduct “for Responsible Fisheries and Aquaculture”. In addition, a kind of “Guidelines for Developing a Fresh Water Fishery Observer Programme” might be needed, if there has not been proposed yet. Shortly for this part, these two documents has to be born in mind as a part of a national strategy for sustainable fisheries.
On the other hand, and unlike what has been stated on previous considerations by the Australian Government, it is noted that the wider the scope of the first draft is the more integrated the final document will be. In other words, what is understood as a purpose of this 10-issue questionnaire is to cover, as much it is possible, including parts of other international compulsory and voluntary agreements, to get the broadest picture of what can be included in the role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition. Then, having this very comprehensive drawing, the discussion of a new approach, or thinking can be started.
Finally, and as a national experience from a developing country, the “Code of Conduct “for Responsible Fisheries and Aquaculture” and its implementation along local coastal fishery communities have been of great support for creating a more aware perspective of harvesting aquatic resources, ensuring somehow a more effective use management. As a result, some unsustainable and polluting routines carried out mainly by small-scale fishermen, has begun to change. However, an accompanying mechanism, as the “Role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition” is intended to have, it will be very useful for covering some gaps concerning the “Fisheries Code” itself.
2. 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?
Information on fisheries and aquaculture resources in Colombia is fragmented, and complementary data regarding the conditions of poor people and the different aquatic resources for livelihoods in some remote areas of the country, has not been totally taken into account. Therefore, decisions are sometimes unsuitably taken on domestic level priorities only overseeing the necessities of local communities, mostly the poorest, and thus having a severe danger to native livelihood advantages containing fisheries. In addition for developing countries, the growth matters in main river basins are similar, as it is for the country, where fisheries are an essential source of food and revenue for poor communities, and many of them are indigenous.
Summarising, it is quite clear that the significance of fishery statistics as a tool that affords the foundations are crucial for the building of national fisheries policies and national management frameworks and actions as well as basis for understanding the status and condition of the fisheries resources. As a result, it can be concluded that getting coherent and consistent fishery statistics may be the starting point for developing nations to maintain the integrity of the resource base and a part of a strategy to reduce pressures from the livelihoods dependent on them and communities themselves.
3. What are the key socioeconomic issues, which affect the sustainability and development of fisheries and aquaculture?
As it has been highlighted by the international community, attention has to be drawn to the potential roles of inland water fisheries and aquaculture as food suppliers. This bears in mind the overall socio-economic situation of rural development. For that reason, re-appraisal of national policies for fisheries and aquaculture development and management has to be considered.
Consequently, it can be a clear aim for the “Role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition” in taking a lead and giving a reasonable guidance on how to approach the socioeconomic matters affecting the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture such as overpopulation, poverty, minimum living conditions, sanitation, education, corruption, and so on.
4. To what extend 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?
Concerning the linkage between the “International Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries” and the “Role of Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security and Nutrition”, with regard of the extend to what contributions can be made in terms of policy development, basically for developing countries in Latin America, is essentially given by Part 2 of the SSF-Guidelines. At this part, it is mentioned that the need for SSF communities of having protected rights to fishery resources and land, and the capability of benefit from them in order to sustain their livelihoods have to be addressed as a priority.
Accordingly, States should work closely and steadily with SSF communities, through long-term projects, in developing policy comprising research, analysis, consultation, and synthesis of information in order to produce suitable recommendations that can finally harmonise the current reality of these communities, sometimes geographically difficult to be accessed, to what is expected according the Development National Plans.
At the regional level, we can mention that the South Pacific Permanent Commission (CPPS) has recently carried out a Regional Workshop in Colombia in order to adopt Shared views regarding the “Zero Draft on the International Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries”. The workshop gathered expert representatives from some countries in the region who agreed on certain recommendations for this draft document, including the involvement of SSF communities and relevant stakeholders in the decision-making process.
5. 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 developing, women who are offered and provided with the best circumstances to enhance their socio-economic empowerment will also be able to contribute meaningfully to food security, poverty alleviation and improved well-being for themselves, their families and their communities. In brief, they will assistance to make a world in which responsible and sustainable use of fisheries and aquaculture resources can make an considerable contribution to human well-being, food security and poverty alleviation. Then, this is an issue to be developed in full during the discussion of the document on the “Role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition”. In Colombia, there are some fisheries directed linked to women and children in the SSF, and there are some successful initiatives.
6. What continuous improvements in institutional capacities (both national and regional) are critical for the success of management and governance of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture?
The management and governance of sustainable fisheries, including decision-making, and related institutional capacities, are undoubtedly the weakest part in an integrated approachable cake attempting to identify possible short, mid, and long-term solutions for developing countries.
Additionally, it is considered not enough just to carry out some training courses to growing institutional capacity at the national and regional level, and much more has to be done. For instance, more e-consultation processes such as the “Role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition”. This worldwide participation will allow more people to get involved in having a wider perspective, and then with the proper financial resources it will be possible to start implementing appropriate projects, mainly in developing countries, with a solid socioeconomic component for the many isolated fisheries communities.
In cases like Colombia, which has a huge territory, co-management is a good alternative to make fishermen responsible for their own ones. However, this involves rights on the territory and a certain level of association of artisanal fishermen; this is often difficult to find, if you cannot find an intermediate stakeholder that works with them.
7. How sustainable aquaculture can be promoted for food security and nutrition, as well as livelihoods, into the longer term?
In this concern, it can be said, that sustainable aquaculture can be promoted for food security and nutrition by strengthening the knowledge base surrounding efficient planning, coordination and implementation of research and development programmes supporting the sustainable expansion of aquaculture, and increasing its impact on food security, livelihoods and poverty alleviation in developing countries. Small scale aquaculture needs a good trade chain, if you want not only get something to eat, but also something to sell and get some profit for the family.
8. What policies are necessary for fair and improved trading?
At this stage, it can be proposed for the “Role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition” to harmonise the FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible international Fish Trade” and the “Laws and regulations relating to fish trade”, along with the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. This is because trade in fish and fish products is very important for developing countries. Fifty percent of international trade in fish and fish products originates from developing countries. This is an important source of revenue, employment and foreign exchange for these countries.
9. What would promote fish value chain development that supports food security and nutrition?
The answer to this question can be also provided along with the International Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries”. The value-chain analysis on international fish trade and food security with an impact assessment of the small-scale sector is deeply required for drawing some conclusions in the current document proposed.
10. What other policies and relevant technology options are available for waste minimisation, better resource accountability and management?
As in many fisheries, bycatch remains a major source of domestic unregulated and unreported fishing and can be classified as IUU fishing and it threatens the security of those who depend on fisheries as a source of food and income. To safeguard these often-precarious livelihoods, responsible fishery management plans promoting good practices and control measures on bycatch and discards are needed.
Therefore, policies and relevant technology options for waste minimisation have to be focused on concerted national and international action to provide the global framework needed to assess, monitor and mitigate bycatch problems in most of the fisheries. FAO has various instruments available for developing and promoting sustainable fisheries including the preparation of technical guidelines.
As a conclusion, this is an issue to be integrated, as well, with the international action on bycatch management and discard reduction that should be applied by all States, entities and fishers. It should also address bycatch management objectives, bycatch reduction technologies, legislation, training, institutional capacity building and outreach to industry. Mechanisms should be put in place at the state level for baseline studies, regular monitoring and assessment of progress towards management of all retained catch species, reduction of discards.
Vladimir Puentes Javier Plata