The EU new approach on blue economy should recognize that artisanal fisheries are the main provider of "Ocean Livelihoods" in Africa

The EU new approach on blue economy should recognize that artisanal fisheries are the main provider of "Ocean Livelihoods" in Africa

The Commission’s recently published communication still shies away from acknowledging the threat that other blue economy sector represent for fishing communities, who are by far the most vulnerable in such a competitive environment.

Food promotion policy –the EU should encourage quality over quantity seafood consumption

Food promotion policy –the EU should encourage quality over quantity seafood consumption

This article looks at the sustainability concerns of both wild-caught fisheries and industrial aquaculture and argue that the EU should not promote seafood consumption but focus on providing accurate and complete information to consumers and look into the wider environmental and social sustainability issues throughout the fish value chain.

Seychelles FITI report: Stakeholders make recommendations regarding access by fleets of foreign origin

Seychelles FITI report: Stakeholders make recommendations regarding access by fleets of foreign origin

Seychelles is the first country in the world to publish a report that assesses the compliance against the transparency requirements of the FiTI standard. The author comments on the main findings of the Multi Stakeholder Group and highlights the recommendations for foreign fleets and the importance of understanding the value of local fisheries.

Key issues for EU-Mauritius SFPA negotiations: Tuna stocks sustainability, post-covid19 recovery for the local sector and transparency

Key issues for EU-Mauritius SFPA negotiations: Tuna stocks sustainability, post-covid19 recovery for the local sector and transparency

With an EU-Mauritius SFPA Joint Committee planned this spring, and the SFPA protocol expiring in December 2021, CFFA highlights issues for the negotiations of the fisheries partnership agreement renewal.

African artisanal fisheries at the forefront of the fight against predatory and opaque industrial fishing companies

African artisanal fisheries at the forefront of the fight against predatory and opaque industrial fishing companies

With few exceptions, the activities of these companies conceal corrupt practices that allow vessels to fish as they please without respecting ecosystem management and conservation measures, threatening the survival of local communities.

Ensuring Gender Equity in artisanal fisheries

Ensuring Gender Equity in artisanal fisheries

Coinciding with the celebration of the International Women’s Day, and looking at the upcoming International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in a year from now, the author reviews the dedicated Gender Guide for the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-scale Fisheries, published by FAO and ICSF in 2017.

What future for Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements?

What future for Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements?

In view of the global evaluation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) that will be carried out by the Commission in 2021, the author highlights the key points which will need to be assessed from the perspective of the impacts on African coastal communities. The author also suggests essential improvements to be made for the future of SFPAs so that they better respond to the needs of these communities.

International Ocean Governance: more can be done to promote socially and environmentally sustainable fisheries

International Ocean Governance: more can be done to promote socially and environmentally sustainable fisheries

Ahead of the EU IOG conference from 14 to 16 December, it is essential to recall the role of sustainable fisheries in providing livelihoods in coastal areas and its contribution to food security.

Improving scientific observer coverage in mixed Fisheries Agreements in West Africa

Improving scientific observer coverage in mixed Fisheries Agreements in West Africa

BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, CFFA and WWF release a joint paper with recommendations to harmonize the conditions for the embarkment of scientific observers on board EU vessels and ask that data collection include more specifications on the biological information required, including information on bycatch species.

World Fisheries Day: How the EU can support sustainable African artisanal fisheries

World Fisheries Day: How the EU can support sustainable African artisanal fisheries

In this declaration on the occasion of World Fisheries Day, CFFA calls on the European Union to integrate the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale fisheries into all its policies that have an impact on this sector, particularly in the Blue Economy and Farm to Fork strategies and in its external action.

Small scale fisheries at risk: Madagascar signs destructive fishing agreements with Chinese investors

Small scale fisheries at risk: Madagascar signs destructive fishing agreements with Chinese investors

While negotiations between the European Union and Madagascar for a tuna fishing agreement are dragging on, Madagascar's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has signed two private agreement protocols inviting around 30 vessels to fish in Malagasy waters.

Replacing fisheries and decarbonizing the sector? We should not expect it from industrial aquaculture

Replacing fisheries and decarbonizing the sector? We should not expect it from industrial aquaculture

This position paper explores the false promises of industrial aquaculture, highlights the key sustainability issues of promoting farming of carnivorous fish species, such as salmon, underscores the environmental and social impacts throughout the whole value chain and explains why the EU should stop promoting seafood coming from industrial aquaculture and instead focus on promoting sustainable small-scale and low impact fisheries and aquaculture.

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement negotiations between the EU and Mauritania: staying on course

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement negotiations between the EU and Mauritania: staying on course

As a new round of negotiations between the EU and Mauritania is expected to start soon, this position paper recalls the demands of the Mauritanian artisanal fisheries sector, highlighting technical conditions, such as the access to octopus to be reserved for local artisanal fishers, the zoning for trawlers to be maintained, and landings of small pelagics to be kept. Governance issues are also key, such as transparency, especially regarding the activities of other foreign fleets; and the urgent need for the SFPA to contribute to regional management for shared stocks.

EU Farm to Fork Strategy: Raising the ambition on global fisheries aspects

EU Farm to Fork Strategy:  Raising the ambition on global fisheries aspects

On World Food Day (16 October) we publish this short brief, which reviews the recommendations of the EU Food Policy Coalition on the global aspects of the EU Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, underscoring that F2F largely ignores seafood production, and highlights EU trade, cooperation and imports aspects that are essential for sustainable external fisheries.

Making Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements’ evaluations more efficient

Making Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements’ evaluations more efficient

BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, CFFA and WWF publish a joint paper with recommendations to improve the process and the content of evaluations by including the assessment of impacts of the EU fleet on ecosystems, of the transparency and non-discrimination clause, the needs of women, the implementation of the social clause and the contribution to SDGs.

Why the current African Union’s blue economy strategy threatens small-scale fisheries

Why the current African Union’s blue economy strategy threatens small-scale fisheries

In a public communication, African artisanal fisheries professional organisations warn on the risk of investing in polluting industries for short-term gains as African governments try to kick start their economies in the aftermath of COVID pandemic.