Speaker's corner
FAO Atrium
Accelerating Electronic Monitoring in tuna fisheries: from pilot projects to global implementation
Description
Electronic Monitoring (EM) is rapidly evolving from pilot projects into an operational tool that strengthens fisheries management, improves scientific data collection, enhances compliance, and supports efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This Speaker’s Corner will highlight how FAO’s Common Oceans Program, governments, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), industry, NGOs, retailers, and technology providers are accelerating EM implementation in tuna fisheries. It will showcase operational EM programs, harmonized RFMO-compatible standards, and innovations such as artificial intelligence, risk-based video review, and improved connectivity that are making EM more scalable, cost-effective, transparent, and widely adopted.
Speaker
Joseph Zelansky, FAO.
A quadruple lock on IUU fishing: how four complementary fisheries agreements can strengthen sustainable fisheries
Description
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to undermine sustainable fisheries, food security, decent work, and economic development. This session will explore how countries can strengthen fisheries governance through a “Quadruple Lock” approach built around four complementary international agreements: the Cape Town Agreement, the Port State Measures Agreement, the ILO Work in Fishing Convention (C188), and the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The discussion will highlight how these instruments address different vulnerabilities exploited by IUU fishing operators, and how transparency efforts, such as the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) can reinforce implementation through greater accountability and access to fisheries information.
Speakers
Moderator: Robin Davies – Global Fisheries Lead, WWF International. Speakers: Sven Biermann – Executive Director, Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI); Government of Seychelles.
The importance of understanding governance frameworks applicable to unregulated fisheries and flag, port and coastal state responsibilities
Description
This session will examine unregulated fishing through market, port, coastal, and flag State perspectives, highlighting cooperation and shared responsibilities.
- Argentina will present its digital Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) system, advanced monitoring of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and adjacent waters, catch certification, and initiatives to strengthen governance in FAO Area 41.
- Thailand will focus on its market State role, seafood raw material sources, Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) implementation, traceability, and efforts to prevent IUU caught fish entering supply chains.
- The EU will address impacts on its international fleet and the need for analysis of governance frameworks applicable to high seas areas outside RFMOs, to complement an expert group considering data gaps and science-based management measures.
Speakers
Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Director for International Ocean Governance and Sustainable Fisheries, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG-MARE), European Commission; Gabriela Navarro, Director of Fisheries Planning, Undersecretariat of Aquatic Resources and Fisheries, Argentina; Pavarot Noranarttragoon, Senior Expert on Marine Fisheries, Marine Fisheries Research and Development Division, Department of Fisheries, Thailand.
China's practices and achievements in implementing the ten-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River and strengthening aquatic biodiversity conservation
Description
The Yangtze River, home to over 4,300 aquatic species, has suffered severe resource depletion and biodiversity loss. On 1 January 2021, China introduced a ten-year fishing ban covering key waters across 15 provincial-level regions. The government resettled 231,000 fishers with vocational training and social security, enforced the ban through joint multi-agency action, and rescued flagship species. Annual Chinese sturgeon releases have exceeded one million for two consecutive years; the Yangtze finless porpoise population reached 1,426 in 2025; monitored fish species increased by 43. The session shares China's experience in large-river basin governance and aquatic biodiversity conservation.
Speaker
Dr. ZHANG Wenbo, Associate Professor, Shanghai Ocean University.
Blue Communities in action: advancing accountability at sea and women's leadership for equitable fisheries governance
Description
The Blue Communities program at Conservation International supports ocean communities in strengthening the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of fisheries through locally led governance, transparency, and equity initiatives. This session will highlight two initiatives that demonstrate how we apply these approaches in practice. First, Accountability at Sea, which aims to connect crew at sea on large-scale fishing vessels with Wi-Fi to improve transparency, labor conditions, and responsible fisheries governance. Second, Women Ocean Guardians, which elevates the leadership, knowledge, and decision-making power of women in fisheries and coastal communities, strengthening inclusive governance and community resilience.
Speaker
Katy Dalton, Director, Offshore Fisheries & Ocean Equity.
Session organized by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (to be updated)
Description
To be updated.
Speakers
To be updated.
Strengthening inclusion of aquatic foods in school meals in Malawi
Description
School meal programmes provide unique opportunities to improve child nutrition while strengthening local food systems and livelihoods. Aquatic foods are rich in essential nutrients but remain underutilized in school feeding programmes and related policy guidance. This session brings together BMZ/GIZ and a small-scale fish processor from Malawi to discuss practical experiences in integrating locally produced fish products into school meals. Building on FAO's work to strengthen fish processors' capacities and ongoing BMZ/GIZ efforts to scale up these approaches, the session explores how fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders can engage with public procurement systems to deliver nutritious, locally sourced foods for schoolchildren.
Speakers
To be updated.
Blue Transformation in action: science, innovation and sustainable aquaculture for global food security
Description
This session will explore a practical UAE–Hong Kong–Greater Bay Area model for sustainable aquaculture, bringing together science, innovation, industry, market access and catalytic capital, with a focus on moving from science to pilot to scale.
Speaker
Mr Chan Pok-chi, MH, JP – Hong Kong Legislative Council.
Translating the GSA into practice: a public-private partnership between Ghana and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
Description
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is working with governments and industry associations to implement FAO’s Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA). ASC's Farm Standard translates GSA principles into verifiable, farm-level requirements, while the ASC Improver Programme supports producers to improve performance. The presentation draws on a concrete case from Ghana, where the Fisheries Commission, the Chamber of Aquaculture (COA), and ASC are co-developing a Code of Good Practices (CoGP). The CoGP provides a nationally owned entry point for producers seeking to improve their practices, embedding ASC's credibility principles and driving value creation through improved production, market differentiation, and access to finance.
Speakers
Chris Ninnes, CEO, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC);
Roy van Daatselaar, Head of Improver Programme, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC);
Prof. Benjamin Betey Campion, Executive Director, Fisheries Commission Ghana.
Reconstruction of Brazil's marine fisheries statistics (1950–2025)
Description
Brazil will present the process and outcomes of reconstructing its national marine fisheries statistics from 1950 to 2025, highlighting the importance of long-term data series for evidence-based fisheries management. The session will showcase the methodology adopted, the partnerships established with research institutions, and the role of reconstructed statistics in supporting policy development, stock assessment, food security, and international reporting. Participants will also learn about the challenges faced, lessons learned and opportunities for strengthening fisheries information systems through collaboration between government and the scientific community.
Speakers
H.E. Rivetla Édipo Araújo Cruz,
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture,
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Brazil);
Ms. Carolina Dória,
National Secretary for Fisheries Registration and Monitoring',
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Brazil).
FIRMS at COFI: launching FAO State of Stocks and advancing global fisheries information through partnership
Description
At COFI 37, FAO will present the new State of Stocks Index (SoSI) and highlight the role of the Fisheries and Resources Monitoring System (FIRMS) partnership in improving access to transparent, comparable and policy-relevant information to support evidence-based fisheries governance. The rationale behind SoSI will be described along with a live demonstration of the web application and discuss how scientific knowledge is brought together through FIRMS to support global fisheries reporting. Contributing to SoSI increases the visibility of FIRMS partners’ stock-status information, supports transparent evaluations and promotes consistency between FAO global reporting and regional and national assessment and advisory processes.
Speaker
Rishi SHARMA, Senior Fishery Resources Officer, FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.
From commitment to action: the transformative force of inclusive and data-driven management
Description
It is commonly accepted that the equitable and sustainable management of fisheries relies on public access to reliable information. This Speaker’s Corner will highlight how data-driven, evidence-based and stakeholder-inclusive frameworks can provide the political and technical foundation for operationalising transparency to support fisheries management through informed decision-making and coordination across institutions and interest groups, elevating the sector’s visibility, and strengthening the effectiveness and public reputation of national fisheries management institutions. A particular focus will be on showcasing proven, scalable and cost-effective IT solutions for sharing fisheries information with the public.
Speakers
Moderator: Mr Audun Lem, Chair, Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI).
Managing data-limited fisheries in Chile: The FishPath approach and Integration of ecological knowledge in shaping regulations
Description
Despite accounting for 40% of the world’s total fish catch and supporting 90% of the capture fisheries workforce, many of the world’s small-scale fisheries (SSF) remain unassessed and/or unmanaged due to data and capacity limitations. The session will present the work done by The Nature Conservancy in applying the FishPath approach to previously unmanaged fisheries in Chile. Specifically, how the team worked with fishers and government agencies to integrate traditional ecological knowledge to pass the first marine recreational fisheries regulation in Chile for 17, previously unmanaged, finfish species..
Speakers
Carmen Revenga, The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Fisheries Director;
Natalio Godoy, The Nature Conservancy, Oceans Strategy Lead, Chile.
Enhancing SSF Guidelines implementation: the critical role of the SSF-GSF and the SSF Summit
Description
The Speaker's Corner session will share the outcomes of the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit 2026, where small-scale fisheries actors, governments, NGOs, researchers and FAO come together to take stock of the SSF Guidelines implementation. Speakers will discuss the reactivated Global Strategic Framework in support of the SSF Guidelines implementation (SSF-GSF), the challenges and good practices identified during the Summit in implementing the SSF Guidelines, and the related priorities of small-scale fisheries organizations. The event will highlight the relevance of having global mechanisms and events such as the SSF-GSF and the SSF Summits, which foster collaboration among SSF actors and other relevant actors to advance the SSF Guidelines implementation.
Speakers
Nadine Nembhard, World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP);
Dawda Foday Saine, African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organizations (CAOPA);
Ujjaini Halim, World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers (WFF).
Scaling up solutions: advancing fisheries sustainability through collaboration, standards and improvement tools
Description
This session explores how cross-sector collaboration – among governments, industry, scientists, supply chains, and local stakeholders – drives fisheries sustainability. The Portuguese government will highlight its use of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) tools for coastal and small-scale fisheries. This includes the landmark cross-border certification of the Iberian sardine fishery with Spain, alongside pre-certification efforts through the multi-stakeholder Embarca project. The Government of the Republic of Korea will present the Korean Tuna Roundtable. Featuring the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the National Institute of Fisheries Science contributions. This initiative demonstrates how joined-up action addresses sustainability challenges in distant-water tuna fisheries. A Q&A will follow.
Speakers
Portuguese Government, Secretary of State for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Prof. Salvador Malheiro;
Republic of Korea Government – National Institute of Fisheries Science, Dr. Heewon Park;
Camiel Derichs, Program Development Director, Marine Stewardship Council (chair).
Adaptation menu for fisheries and aquaculture: what should we serve before the next climate shock?
Description
Drawing on the FAO Adaptation Toolbox for Fisheries and Aquaculture, organizers will guide participants through a menu of climate adaptation solutions. The event will be designed as an interactive “Adaptation Menu” rather than a conventional panel: Starter – institutional adaptation; First course – livelihood adaptation; Second course – risk reduction and management measures; and Dessert – takeaway message. Each course will open with a short scene-setting introduction linking adaptation solutions to practical tools and guidance. Participants, delegates, small-scale fisheries actors, researchers, and NGO representatives will then be invited to share their selections and real-world examples.
Speakers
Eduardo Sfoglia, Head Advisor for International Affairs Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Brazil. Moderators: Maximilian Schwarz / Xuechan Ma.
From tradition to innovation: sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea
Description
From selective fishing gears and new management approaches to digital technologies, animal health and biosecurity, innovation is transforming fisheries and aquaculture across the Mediterranean and Black Sea. This interactive talk will showcase how fishers, farmers, scientists and managers are turning new ideas into practical solutions to address climate change, strengthen food security and improve sustainability. Through real-world examples and audience discussion, speakers will explore how innovation and tradition can work together to shape the future of aquatic food systems.
Speaker
Mumtaz Tirasin (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean - GFCM, Chairperson);
Nadia Chérif (FAO NFI, Senior Fishery Officer - aquaculture biosecurity).
Innovating for impact: policy-driven solutions for sustainable fisheries (EAF-Nansen Programme case studies)
Description
This session highlights innovative Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) solutions for sustainable aquatic food systems. Ms. Ruwini Lakmali Basnayake will present Blue Voyager’s award-winning work on sustainable spiny lobster management in Sri Lanka, developed through ecological research, community knowledge, and participatory engagement. A representative of São Tomé and Príncipe will present landmark fisheries policy and legal reforms supported by EAF-Nansen and FISH4ACP, including the 2025–2034 Strategic Plan, the country’s first fisheries management plan, and updated legislation. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how science-based, inclusive governance can build lasting commitments to sustainable fisheries.
Speakers
Ruwini Lakmali Basnayake – Winner, Nansen Prize (FAO World Food Forum Transformative Research Challenge), Team Blue Ocean Voyagers.
Cross-sectoral interactions with deep-sea fisheries in the ABNJ - lessons learnt for a more integrated ocean governance
Description
This event will highlight the value, and the necessity, of cross-sectoral cooperation in addressing the complex and fragmented governance landscape of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). It will draw on key lessons learnt from activities undertaken by the Common Oceans Deep-sea Fisheries Project and showcase positive examples of informal and formal cooperation mechanisms, including the NEAFC/OSPAR Collective Arrangement. Additionally, it will explore how the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement presents a critical opportunity to enhance cooperation, emphasizing the need for early and inclusive consultation, respect for existing institutional competencies, and the development of practical, flexible and science-based cooperation mechanisms.
Speakers
Viktoria Varga Lencses, Senior Fishery Officer, Coordinator of the Common Oceans Program, NFI;
Eszter Hidas, Project Manager, Common Oceans Deep-sea Fisheries Project, NFI;
Darius Campbell, Executive Secretary, North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC).
From youth voices to action: engaging the next generation in fisheries and aquaculture
Description
Young people are essential to the future of fisheries and aquaculture, yet few mechanisms exist to move from recognizing that youth matter to giving them a real role in shaping decisions. Launched at COFI 36, the Global Youth Constituency on Fisheries and Aquaculture (GYCFA) is a youth-led global network, supported by FAO and aligned with the Blue Transformation Roadmap, connecting young people to international decision-making processes. This Speakers' Corner presents findings from a 2026 global consultative process engaging over 600 young people across all regions, alongside a national perspective from a Constituency member. The session opens dialogue on concrete entry points and partnerships, positioning the Constituency as a practical, responsive resource for Members and observers to enable meaningful, and critical, youth engagement in the sector.
Speakers
João Neto, FAO Youth Policy Specialist, FAO World Food Forum (WFF);
Céline Tiffay, Fishery Specialist, FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI).
From policy to practice: connecting national plans of action and ecosystem-based management for small-scale fisheries in the Bay of Bengal
Description
The Bay of Bengal supports millions through small-scale fisheries that are diverse and institutionally complex. This talk demonstrates how combining actions at two levels can sustain them. At the policy level, National Plans of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF), grounded in the SSF Guidelines, secure recognition, tenure and stewardship. FAO and BOBP-IGO support Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka to develop NPOAs-SSF as a coordinated regional effort. At the management level, the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), applied through the GEF- and Norad-funded BOBLME Phase II Project (FAO-led; executed by IUCN, BOBP-IGO and SEAFDEC), provides practical tools for Blue Transformation.
Speakers
Brief introduction by Ms Angela Lentisco, Fishery and Aquaculture Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; Lead Technical Officer, BOBLME Project;
Dr P. Krishnan, Director, Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO).
Expanding access to social protection in the fisheries sectors
Description
Jointly organized by FAO and the World Bank Group, this session explores how evidence generated through targeted data-collection tools can inform policy. It will showcase two examples: a household survey in Cabo Verde examining barriers to social protection coverage, priorities for support, and willingness to contribute to social insurance schemes; and a study in Viet Nam of fishers’ and fish workers’ aspirations and pathways for livelihood transitions. Drawing on these experiences, the session will open an exchange on how data on the preferences of fishers and fish workers can make social protection more responsive to and better aligned with sustainable fisheries.
Speakers
Daniela Kalikoski, Fishery Officer and Equitable Livelihoods Team Lead, NFIFL;
Yashodhan Ghorpade, Senior Economist, HECSP, World Bank Group.
Mainstreaming inland fisheries in basin governance: evidence from Lake Victoria and the Mekong River
Description
Two of the world's most important inland fisheries — Lake Victoria and the Mekong — are being assessed through a new lens: fish and fisheries as indicators of basin health. This session presents results from two pilots of FAO's intersectoral basin assessment methodology, embedding inland fisheries within Integrated Water Resources Management. In Lake Victoria, fisheries officials under-perceived pollution and habitat threats by 25–30 percentage points relative to water and land counterparts. In the Mekong River, the same approach was applied to understand cross-sectoral synergies and trade-offs. Speakers will show how the evidence is triangulated and how the pilots are being scaled.
Speaker
Edward Rukuunya, Director Fisheries Management, Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization - LVFO;
Quan Lai Tung, Fisheries Management Specialist, Mekong River Commission – MRC;
Short introduction from Valerio Crespi (FAO Fisheries Officer).
Moderator: Varun Tandon (FAO International Fisheries Specialist).
Advancing SSF-inclusive sustainability certification frameworks
Description
A growing number of COFI Members recognise that ecolabelling frameworks do not always reflect the operational realities of small-scale fisheries (SSF), risking market access barriers even where practices are sustainable. Building on the FAO-UNCTAD webinar series (May 2026), discussions at COFI Fish Trade, and research by Conservation International, this session moves debate from diagnosis to solutions, exploring practical pathways for SSF-inclusive certification and benchmarking. Speakers will offer national and technical perspectives, including how tools such as GSSI can respond to SSF needs, followed by open discussion with the audience.
Speakers
Gert le Roux, Executive Director, Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI);
Umar Zafar Sheikh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Pakistan.
Moderator: Maïa Perraudeau.
Partnering for healthy diets for all: an introduction to the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition
Description
Created in the context of the UN Food Systems Summit, the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition (ABFC) focuses on fulfilling the potential of SDG14 for global food security, a resilient climate, and thriving biodiversity. It has over 60 members from governments, intergovernmental organizations, academia, the private sector and civil society. ABFC raises the profile of blue food by engaging with decision-makers; driving knowledge exchange and action for members and catalyzing technical capacity and partnerships. The event will introduce the ABFC, share facts about aquatic blue food, inspire by sharing concrete examples of ABFC actions and encourage COFI members to join the Coalition.
Speakers
Jón Erlingur Jónasson; Special Envoy for the Ocean, Directorate for International Development Cooperation, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Iceland;
Karly Kelso, Director, Climate Resilient Food Systems, Environmental Defense Fund.
What powers the value chain? Women led solar hubs and climate resilient fisheries in remote fishing communities in Zambia
Description
This session will examine how FAO, through FISH4ACP, is strengthening climate-resilient livelihoods for women fish processors in the remote communities of Kapembwa, Chipwa and Kalomo on Lake Tanganyika. In the absence of electricity and reliable preservation methods, post-harvest losses have historically reached up to 50 percent, undermining incomes and food security. Speakers will discuss how the installation of solar-powered cold storage hubs has enabled women-led enterprises to extend fish shelf life, access higher-value markets, and diversify income through user fees, while providing wider community benefits including battery charging and communications support. The session will highlight the role of renewable energy solutions in advancing climate adaptation, value addition and women's economic empowerment in small-scale fisheries.
Speaker
Masiliso Phiri, National Professional Officer with FISH4ACP & the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Zambia.
Stronger value chains, safer communities. addressing gender-based violence in Zambia's Lake Tanganyika fishery
Description
This session will address gender-based violence and inequality within the Kapenta fishery on Lake Tanganyika, where deep-rooted disparities in access to assets, finance and decision-making continue to shape women's participation in the fish value chain. Speakers will discuss how FAO, through FISH4ACP, has pursued a combined approach of women's economic empowerment, gender-transformative community engagement and sustainable fisheries management to address the root causes of practices such as early marriage and transactional sex. Drawing on the establishment of Dimitra clubs, Community Action Plans developed with local leaders, alternative livelihood support and women-led savings groups, the session will demonstrate how coordinated, community-driven interventions can advance gender equity and resilience in fishing communities.
Speakers
Masiliso Phiri, National Professional Officer with FISH4ACP & the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Zambia.
Blue Ports at the crossroads of sustainable aquatic food trade
Description
This interactive session will explore how the FAO Blue Ports Initiative addresses sustainability challenges across aquatic food value chains through experiences from India, Morocco and Spain. These countries are connected through fisheries trade and increasingly demanding sustainability standards, making the management and operation of fishing ports more important than ever. Through a moderated conversation, speakers will discuss national priorities, challenges and opportunities for improving environmental, social and economic sustainability in fishing ports, while highlighting the role of international cooperation in advancing sustainable aquatic food trade and Blue Transformation.
Speakers
Moderator: José Estors Carballo.
Elevating Africa's blue foods for food security, climate resilience and economic growth
Description
This informal Speaker’s Corner session will showcase Africa’s emerging blue foods agenda as a practical contribution to food security, climate resilience and economic growth. Building on the African Blue Food Leadership Roundtable held on the margins of the 11th Our Oceans Conference (OOC11) in Mombasa in June 2026, AUDA-NEPAD and partners will highlight African priorities on sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, seaweed, food loss and waste, inclusive value chains and climate policy integration. The session will complement the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition (ABFC) event by demonstrating how ABFC knowledge and partnerships are being translated into African led action through policy alignment, champions, peer exchange and implementation support.
Speaker
Dr. Bernice Mclean, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).
Amazon forgotten fishes: report launch
Description
The Nature Conservancy will launch the Amazon Forgotten Fishes report, developed by 55 experts from 38 institutions across the Amazon Basin. The report highlights the Amazon’s exceptional freshwater fish diversity, with over 2,700 species, representing about 15% of global freshwater fish diversity, and the critical role of inland fisheries in supporting food security, nutrition, and livelihoods for millions. Featuring Brazil’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the event will advance dialogue on sustainable freshwater fisheries governance, community-led management, and biodiversity conservation. The report aligns with FAO’s Blue Transformation agenda by promoting equitable access, ecosystem protection, climate resilience, and sustainable fisheries management.
Speakers
Allison Aldous, Freshwater Fisheries Program Director, The Nature Conservancy;
Carolina Doria, Ministerio da Pesca e Aquicultura, Brasil.
AU-IBAR transformative programme for sustainable fisheries and resilient aquaculture value chains 2026-2035
Description
Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa present significant potential for food security, job creation, regional trade and economic development. Africa is well-positioned to expand and modernize its fisheries and aquaculture sector, leveraging its natural resources, youthful population, established commercial technologies and growing regional markets. Yet, fragmented governance, limited data, weak infrastructure, inadequate technical capabilities and resource inputs, climate change risks, environmental pollution and ecosystem degradation constrain its growth. To address these challenges, AU-IBAR proposes implementing a 10-year Africa Fisheries & Aquaculture Transformation programme. With strong political will, sound partnerships, and strategic investment, the sector can become a cornerstone of Africa’s food systems transformation.
Speakers
Hellen Guebama, Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer, AU-IBAR;
Rafik Nouaili, Fisheries and Aquaculture Resource Officer, AU-IBAR.
How fisheries management supports restoration in productive seas
Description
GBF Target 2 will not be delivered by environmental authorities alone. Productive sectors, including fisheries administrations, have a vital role in restoring productive seas while sustaining food security, jobs and livelihoods. This session will show how fisheries decisions—on where and when fishing occurs, gear use, bycatch, habitat impacts, monitoring and enforcement—can support ecological recovery in addition to target stock maintenance and restoration. It will propose practical criteria for recognising restoration contributions: a clear ecological objective, a defined pressure reduced and evidence of recovery. Delegates will explore progress being made in how to embed restoration in fisheries management, strengthen cooperation with national environmental authorities and global initiatives, so that fisheries are represented, recognised and resourced in delivery of national biodiversity plans, and fishers’ knowledge is valued in the design, delivery and review of effective action for people and nature.
Speakers
Mark Dickey-Collas, Dr (IUCN CEM FEG);
Kim Friedman, Dr (FAO NFIFM).
Establishing a global mandate for the effective management of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)
Description
Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), or "ghost gear", is one of the most harmful forms of marine plastic pollution, threatening marine ecosystems, fisheries sustainability, food security and coastal livelihoods. Despite its global impacts, there is no dedicated global mandate to address it. This event will explore a holistic approach to preventing, mitigating and remediating ALDFG across fisheries and aquaculture. Hosted by the Government of Canada and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), it will highlight practical solutions, cross-sectoral partnerships and coordinated policy approaches needed to strengthen international cooperation and support the development of an effective global framework.
Speakers
Heather Wood, Director, International Fisheries Management & Negotiations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Government of Canada;
Chris Dorsett, Vice President, Conservation, Ocean Conservancy.