Priority 3
Protect small-scale fisheries from competing blue economy sectors
The negative impacts of more powerful blue economy sea and land-based sectors, - such as offshore energy production, deep-sea mining, industrial fishing, tourism, fishmeal factories, logging-, jeopardise the future of coastal communities.
The precautionary approach and transparency and effective participation of small-scale fisheries should guide any new ocean use.
By 2030…
Governments should:
Not allow or support any new ocean use that may negatively impact ecosystems and the communities that depend on them for their livelihoods; and make sure that free, prior, informed consent is applied;
Demonstrate adequate provision in national budgets for enforcement of environmental regulation, including the implementation of international and regional laws and conventions, before any new ocean use is allowed; and
Develop, with the utmost transparency and with the participation of affected coastal communities, mechanisms for (1) independent social and environmental impact assessments, (2) Consultation which allows for informed and active participation of affected fishing communities, (3) Conflict resolution between users of maritime spaces, and (4) Judicial and administrative grievance redress.
We call on governments and their partners to build resilient small-scale fishing communities by developing national strategic plans to implement these actions by 2030.
These plans must be adequately funded and guided by the FAO Guidelines to Secure Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries and other relevant regional policies.
