AD eco body spotlights sustainable fisheries

ABU DHABI: The Environment Agency -- Abu Dhabi, EAD, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, have launched the IUCN Guidelines for the Gathering of Fishers’ Knowledge for Policy Development and Applied Use.

The launch, which was held to commemorate the World Fisheries Day – celebrated every year on 21st November – is also in collaboration with World Forum of Fisher Peoples, and International Planning Commitee Working Group on Fisheries.

The voluntary guidelines recognise the importance of both indigenous, local marine-coastal community knowledge, and experienced Fishers’ Knowledge for the development of Fisheries Policy. They are designed to provide guidance on how to utilise this rich cultural knowledge in resource management, across a range of contexts, in pursuit of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.

The management of fisheries is defined across marine and freshwater systems and commercial, recreational, subsistence and small-scale fisheries.

They guidelines were developed by a team led by the Environment Agency-abu Dhabi and included contributions from 50 experts and case studies from 16 countries. They also consulted stakeholders from subject mater experts to governments, small-scale fisher organisations, indigenous fisher organisations, civil society organisations, research and academia, and the private sector.

One of the important targets is “Target 18” on traditional knowledge which has three key elements. Firstly, respect of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources. Secondly, traditional knowledge is subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations.

Fishers’ Knowledge can be used by fisheries resource managers at community, local, regional, and national levels in countries where there are coastal, marine and freshwater fisheries.

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD and IUCN Councilor for West Asia, said, “In the past, the sea and its fisheries were a source of sustenance and survival. Today, globally fishing accounts for about 17 per cent of the global population’s intake of animal protein and provides around 3.2 billion people on the planet with nearly 20 per cent of their animal protein. As a result, almost 90 per cent of global fish stocks are either fully exploited or in decline.

“Achieving sustainable fisheries and seeking to maintain traditional links in society today is a significant topic, and one that the IUCN and we at EAD are proud to be working with the international community to solve.”