Food security

COFI34 recap: Increased awareness and space for small-scale fisheries

COFI34 recap: Increased awareness and space for small-scale fisheries

More than 96 members, 39 intergovernmental organisations and 32 observer NGOs, including CFFA and its partner CAOPA, attended this 34th (online) session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries to discuss global fisheries issues.

European and African artisanal fishermen's organisations denounce their marginalisation

European and African artisanal fishermen's organisations denounce their marginalisation

On the occasion of World Fisheries Day, the declarations of the Collectif Pêche et Développement and the African Confederation of Artisanal Fishing Organisations agree in their demand to implement the FAO Voluntary Guidelines.

Stranded for months due to Covid-19, Mauritian fishers are now stuck between polluted waters and insufficient support

Stranded for months due to Covid-19, Mauritian fishers are now stuck between polluted waters and insufficient support

This in-depth article explains the impacts of the Wakashio oil spill on small-scale fisheries and calls for more inclusion and participation of local coastal communities in decision-making processes of post-Covid recovery.

Has the European Parliament listened to the Seychelles artisanal fishers concerns?

Has the European Parliament listened to the Seychelles artisanal fishers concerns?

During the SFPA negotiations, the local artisanal fishing organisation SFBOA, highlighted its priorities: the EU-Seychelles agreement should (i) contribute to reducing the pressure on tuna resources and on the environment; (ii) ensure transparency and more participation of the fisheries stakeholders and local communities, and (iii) use sectoral support funds primarily for the management of fisheries, and for the improvement of living and working conditions in the local fishing sector.

USCOFEP-CI's refrigerated container guarantees a continuous supply of fish to Abdijan

USCOFEP-CI's refrigerated container guarantees a continuous supply of fish to Abdijan

This 40-foot container was purchased by the women fish processor cooperative of Côte d'Ivoire thanks to a fund set up under the EU-Côte d'Ivoire fisheries agreement.

Mauritania pledged to eliminate fishmeal production by 2020. Today, it has tripled

Mauritania pledged to eliminate fishmeal production by 2020. Today, it has tripled

Despite promises of measures to discourage this activity by increasing export taxes and redirecting landings for human consumption, more than 650,000 tons of fresh fish per year are used to make fishmeal and fishoil.

“A vibrant call to protect and promote African local artisanal fisheries” ahead of the EU-Africa Summit

“A vibrant call to protect and promote African local artisanal fisheries” ahead of the EU-Africa Summit

At a webinar jointly organized by the FAO and the German Presidency and hosted by Members of the European Parliament, CFFA partner CAOPA calls on EU and AU, their members and their citizens to work together to implement, through transparent, participatory and gender-sensitive national action plans to implement the FAO Voluntary Small scale Fisheries Guidelines.

EU-Seychelles SFPA: The PECH rapporteur calls for more transparency and participation of the local fisheries sector

EU-Seychelles SFPA: The PECH rapporteur calls for more transparency and participation of the local fisheries sector

During the debate in the EP PECH Committee, the European Commission also proposed to reorient some sectoral support funds to address the challenges the local fishing communities are facing with the Covid-19.

Hard hit by the Covid-19 crisis, Ivorian women in artisanal fisheries also see it as an opportunity to address long postponed issues

Hard hit by the Covid-19 crisis, Ivorian women in artisanal fisheries also see it as an opportunity to address long postponed issues

After weeks of meetings with national authorities and partners, USCOFEP-CI suggests a plan to improve living and working conditions for women fish processors, and asks for some of the EU Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) sectoral support funds to be redirected to the fight against Covid-19.

The EP Fisheries Committee voted the extension of the EU-Mauritania SFPA protocol, highlighting issues for renegotiation

The EP Fisheries Committee voted the extension of the EU-Mauritania SFPA protocol, highlighting issues for renegotiation

The report by MEP Clara Aguilera cautions that this extension should not make negotiations for the new protocol drag, and includes key demands from the Mauritanian small-scale fisheries sector, such as progress on transparency and the use of sectoral support for the sustainable development of the local sector.

Senegalese fisheries stakeholders protest against its government intention to issue 54 fishing licenses to Chinese and Turkish vessels

Senegalese fisheries stakeholders protest against its government intention to issue 54 fishing licenses to Chinese and Turkish vessels

In the midst of the Coronavirus crisis, the Senegalese consultative committee for the attribution of fishing licences was consulted via email for this allocation. Several fisheries organisations have raised sustainability concerns and warned it could endanger artisanal fishing communities’ livelihoods.

African artisanal fishermen call for measures to help them cope with the COVID-19 epidemic

African artisanal fishermen call for measures to help them cope with the COVID-19 epidemic

CAOPA sent a letter to their fisheries ministers, to international and regional organisations, to several MEPs and to the EU representation in Dakar reminding them of the importance of the sector for food security.

Stories on artisanal fisheries: call for proposal to African journalists

Stories on artisanal fisheries: call for proposal to African journalists

The Network of Journalists for Responsible and Sustainable Fisheries in Africa (REJOPRA) offers grant to reporters for investigative articles and videos on how small-scale fisheries face and adapt to climate change and overexploitation of resources.

European Commission: “Given the importance of fisheries and aquaculture, any diversification of the African economy should fully build on these traditional sectors”

European Commission: “Given the importance of fisheries and aquaculture, any diversification of the African economy should fully build on these traditional sectors”

In a response letter to a joint call by 16 civil society organisations for an Inclusive Oceans Strategy, the European Commission says they are “fully aware” of the value of Small-scale Fisheries.