Within the framework of the GFCM Online Forum, the GFCM organized a third webinar: The experience of small-scale fisheries in promoting resilience and economic innovation in the face of the COVID-19 crisis |
Wednesday 22 July, 15:00-16:30 CEST, Zoom |
This webinar focused on the impacts of COVID-19 to the small-scale fisheries sector and, in particular, highlighted two topics which have proven crucial for the resilience of this sector, namely, market adaptations and social protection programmes. Discussions focused on how changes implemented in the short-term to modify marketing strategies and address vulnerabilities of the sector might be adapted over the long term to make the sector more resilient and better able to cope with future shocks. This webinar was organized in coordination with the Friends of SSF platform and in partnership with the WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative. The webinar was also an opportunity to learn from and engage with small-scale fishers throughout the region. In order to encourage an open discussion between organizations and small-scale fishers from around the region, simultaneous interpretation was available in Arabic, Croatian, English, French, Greek, Italian, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. The conclusions of this webinar will support dialogue among GFCM members on common priorities and ultimately contributed to shaping the post-2020 strategic vision for the Mediterranean and Black Sea region. Background documentation
|
Agenda 15.00 – 15.15 Opening presentation on the impacts of the Covid-19 crisis on the SSF sector, including best practice responses and stakeholder experiences GFCM Secretariat 15.15 – 15.40 Discussion on value chain innovation and its role in facilitating resilience in the SSF sector Moderator: Marco Costantini, WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative Three expert panelists participated in a discussion on the role that market innovations – such as a shift to direct selling – played in the resilience of the sector during the initial crisis, as well as the future role of these innovations for the sustainability of the sector. Panelists:
15.40 – 16.05 Discussion on social protection programmes and their role in reducing vulnerabilities to shocks and promoting long-term resilience for the SSF sector Moderator: Anna Carlson, GFCM Secretariat One of the main responses of governments to the immediate Covid-19 crisis has been through social protection programmes (for example, cash transfers, health-related initiatives, unemployment benefits, etc.). Three expert panelists discussed the role of these measures as a temporary response to the COVID-19 shock while also discussing how social protection systems could be strengthened in the long-term in order to support the resilience of the SSF sector in the face of future shocks, such as those expected from climate change. Panelists:
16.05 – 16.30 Q&A session, lessons learned and next steps Moderators: Anna Carlson, GFCM Secretariat and Marco Costantini, WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative |
The GFCM Online Forum will examine the responses to the crisis from three different angles | ||
The experience of international organizations response to the COVID-19 crisis | The experience of the aquaculture sector through best practices and mitigation measures facing the COVID-19 crisis | The experience of small-scale fisheries in promoting social resilience and market innovation in response to the COVID-19 crisis |
This online forum is part of the activities organized by the GFCM to gain a better understanding of the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The conclusions of these discussions will contribute to a wider reflection on the measures taken, lessons learnt and future actions for the region. The online forum will be open and interactive to promote effective collaboration and active exchange of ideas between participants. |
|
