The International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022) was launched in the Pacific Islands, during an event today to mark the occasion, by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Pacific fishers, the Pacific Community (SPC) and INFOFISH.

The IYAFA 2022 year-long regional campaign will highlight the Pacific fishers’ voices and stories, sharing successes, experiences and lessons learned from small-scale fisheries initiatives in the Pacific. The launch called for action and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to join efforts in making Pacific IYAFA celebrations successful.

An interactive session provided a unique opportunity to discuss the role that small-scale fishers, fish farmers and fish workers play in food security and nutrition, poverty eradication and sustainable natural resource use, in the region. The panelists have also highlighted the essential role of women in small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture and how they contribute to the community empowerment.