International Association of the Study of the Commons 2021 Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference

The International Association of the Study of the Commons (IASC) 2021 Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference, hosted by Arizona State University, on 9-11th March, brought together scholars and practitioners on the topic of fisheries and aquaculture as commons and facing uncertain futures.

FAO presented and discussed the FAO Technical Paper Securing sustainable small-scale fisheries: Showcasing applied practices in value chains, post-harvest operations and trade in a panel focused on 'Seafood Markets, Production Systems and Supply Chains'. The topic of the discussion revolved around the effect markets can have on social and ecological systems. The panellists acknowledged that markets have both the power to improve as well as degrade social equity and sustainable development. Alexander Ford presented the important role of the SSF Guidelines in facilitating and enabling the organisation of the most vulnerable fishers and fishworkers in order to secure better access to market and have a greater role in the governance of resources and value chains. He also drew attention to the important role States are playing in ensuring that trade is rule based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable, through cooperation in relevant regional and multilateral fora, as was asserted in the 2021 COFI Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture. Lastly, the FAO highlighted the important role that International Year of Artisanal Fisheries Aquaculture will play in facilitating discussion and action to improve value chains, post-harvest operations and trade for small-scale fishers in 2022.