World
Fisheries Day

We are using evidence to understand and create solutions to improve the productivity, resilience, and sustainability of small-scale fisheries with our partners. Our work is shaping high-level discussions around food systems transformation and development of the blue economy.

• This week, we launched new guidelines to promote a novel generation of fish-friendly irrigation investments with our partners at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and FAO. During the virtual launch, multidisciplinary researchers and water managers discussed how to scale the integration of fish and irrigation to strengthen the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of inland fisheries-dependent communities in Asia and Africa. Check out the recording here.

• Our contributions to the series of ‘Blue Papers' commissioned by the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy advocate for the vital inclusion of small-scale coastal fisheries. Explore this blog where our Research Chair for Equity and Justice in the Blue Economy, Eddie Alison, argues that only a fair ocean economy can strengthen people and planet.

• Preliminary findings in the collaborative Illuminating Hidden Harvest study, characterizing small-scale fisheries worldwide, were used to inform the outlook and emerging issues section of the 2020 State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture. We discussed the early findings as part of FAO virtual dialogues on the path to the 34th Committee on Fisheries.

• Women make up 50 percent of all people employed in global fisheries, including onshore work. Yet, they grapple with poor working conditions and unfair pay. We are tackling the lack of sex-disaggregated data by ensuring these women's perspectives prioritize global studies.

Focusing on context-specific innovations in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, we continue to build capacity and shape governance to boost equitable economic growth, improve nutrition, and empower local fisheries communities.

• In Southeast Asia, new research in collaboration with FAO, CGIAR, and other partners, works to understand and promote local integrated rice-fish production practices for more productive, nutritious, and sustainable food systems. Read about this agroecological perspective on food systems transformation in the authors’ blog. Explore this video on Community Fish Refuges (CFR) and learn how we are increasing productivity and maintaining the biodiversity of rice-field fisheries in Cambodia. 

• Recent research in Myanmar highlights the importance of investing in data collection and analysis efforts to implement effective fisheries management strategies.

• In the Pacific, our research details how the digital PeskAAS tool works to collect much-needed data to guide the management and conservation of coastal fisheries. With limited training and code adaptation, the tool can be used by fisheries stakeholders, managers, and scientists to access critical catch data. Watch this video where we explain our efforts to scale the integrated data pipeline in Penang, Malaysia.

• Furthermore, research in Timor-Leste reveals the importance of gleaning—the collection of aquatic foods by hand—to women's livelihood and the food security of families. 

• In Sub-Saharan Africa, we continue to raise the profile of inland fisheries contribution to nutritious and diverse diets, essential to fight malnutrition and boost the development of children in the first 1000 days of life.

With each World Fisheries Day, our research grows stronger in building the business and socio-economic case for small-scale fishers, providing valuable insights into fisheries production and value chains, fishing communities, climate resilience, gender, equity, and governance. Today, we invite you to read through the various resources we have shared and join us in advancing policies, investments, and partnerships that reinforce the socio-ecological resilience of fisheries systems and the well-being of local fisheries communities.