Learnings from ICSF’s regional workshops held across the world to mark the 2022 International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture The invisibility of women in fisheries has been discussed for some time now, but was brought into sharp focus in a series of regional workshops that took place from 2022 to...

This book chapter explores the potential of indigenous small fsh (ISF) species as a solution to address undernutrition and promote nutrition-sensitive aquaculture. ISF, characterized by their small size and remarkable reproductive capacity, offer a rich source of protein, micronutrients, and essential fatty acids. Despite their nutritional advantages, ISF populations are...

The extreme flooding in South Brazil highlighted the vulnerability of small-scale fishers to climate-induced disasters. Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil suffered extreme flooding in the months of May and June of 2024. It has severely disrupted the livelihood of small-scale fishers who depend on the region’s aquatic ecosystems (see Table...

The 16th edition of the Pêcheurs du Monde film festival, held in Lorient, France, focused on how fishing is vital for both ocean biodiversity and livelihoods.  The Pecheurs du Monde film festival in Lorient, France, took some 3,000 people on a journey around the oceans of the world on 15-24 March...

Barbados’ fisherfolk build capacity to advocate for climate, blue and social justice. Fisherfolk in Barbados today experience growing marginalization. Fisherfolk in Barbados today experience growing marginalization. They are increasingly frustrated by the injustices they face from every quarter: their peers, the management authorities at fish landing sites and markets, national government...

Women in small-scale fishing communities bear the worst impacts as coastal space in the Indian Ocean region is increasingly encroached upon by state and private activities. This article is based on a cross-regional study that focused on how ruptures in the form of environmental stress and political economic pressures impacted small-scale...

In the forests of the Sunderbans in West Bengal, India, limited livelihood options often drive male fishers literally into the jaws of death, with their widows left struggling for survival. The expression ‘Byaghro Bidhoba’, which literally translates to ‘Tiger Widows’, is a term used to refer to women who have lost...

Women who dominate the shellfish harvest sector in Galicia struggle for due representation and policy inclusion. On the North-Western region of Galicia in Spain, shore-based shellfish harvesting is carried out mainly by women. With traditional and very simple tools that have remained virtually unchanged over time, women gather in beaches to...

Human Development Report 2023-24: Breaking the gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world. The Human Development Index, or HDI, is probably the second most-used measure of a country’s development, after GDP. It uses a variety of indicators and gauges progress in terms of societal outcomes, including a healthy life (life expectancy...

Atalaia exemplifies the power of community and the enduring value of traditional craft in modern times. In the picturesque region of Galicia in northwest Spain, the tradition of netmaking and repair is deeply intertwined with the local fishing industry. This craft, historically carried out by women, has seen a resurgence thanks...

This report provides rapid assessments of the earthquake’s effects on agriculture, specifically greenhouse-based tomato production in Samandağ (Hatay), fishing in Hatay’s coastal districts (Samandağ, Arsuz, İskenderun, Dörtyol), and milk production in Elbistan (Kahramanmaraş). It compares pre- and post-earthquake value chain functions to identify needed interventions and propose strategies for sustainability...

Dolores Gomez not only leads shellfish gatherers in the male-dominated Galician seafood sector but also places feminism front and centre in the conversation. Dolores Gómez Ordoñez has been the President of Mulleres Salgadas since 2019. Mulleres Salgadas is an association of shellfish gatherers in Spain. It was founded in 2016 and...

Women play active roles throughout the fisheries value chain in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, including participating in pre-harvest activities like vessel and gear construction and maintenance, harvest activities both on board fishing vessels and from shore, and post-harvest activities such as sorting, cleaning, processing and marketing the catch,...

This documentary showcases Ghana where the most pressing issues are those of overfishing and pollution due to a rapid decline of fisheries in the country. “I’ve learned that I should do away with fear,” declares Juliana Anna Dogbe Kumado a fishmonger in Ghana and a participant in the One Ocean Hub...

Climate change impacts on marine fisheries resources are changing the distribution and productivity of marine organisms around the globe. Knowledge and model projections to estimate fish biomass gains and losses are crucial for informing climate-resilient fisheries management and adaptation planning. This report was developed in collaboration with the Fisheries and...

The forestry, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture sectors are critical for sustaining rural livelihoods and achieving food and nutrition security around the world. Yet, these sectors are marred by significant gender and social inequalities. This review examines gender gaps in these sectors and what has worked to reduce inequalities. We show...

This paper argues that seafood should play a more prominent role in debates about food systems transformation in the UK. We discuss the connections between seafood and the broader food system, and consider seafood’s potential role in food systems transformation in the UK.  We unpack the opportunities this presents, as well...

Many countries are promoting aquaculture as one of the prime drivers of the rural economy and the employment of women and youth. However, the industry is criticized for inadequately representing the needs of workers. Most African countries have shown a willingness to advance industry goals through domestic programme planning and...

Alin Kadfak created a podcast series about the fishing industry and labour to shed light on the often overlooked work done at sea. The podcast aims is to bring discussions with researchers, civil society actors, journalists, and union leaders who have dedicated themselves to understanding the complexities of fisheries governance...

This course provides the background and context on other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) in marine fisheries.   You will learn about Origins and definition of the OECM concept. Benefits of OECMs and potential challenges of taking on the OECM label. Principles of recognizing OECMs. Marine area-based management measures implemented by the Fisheries sector Course structure The course...