Just Blue Transformation: Addressing Child Labour in Fisheries and Aquaculture

Just Blue Transformation

Addressing Child Labour in Fisheries and Aquaculture

(FAO HQ, German Room)

Child labour continues to affect millions of children worldwide, with 61 percent of them engaged in agriculture – including fisheries and aquaculture.  This event shifts the focus from awareness to action, highlighting concrete solutions to address the issue head-on.

Eliminating child labour in in fisheries and aquaculture is essential not only for protecting children’s rights, but also for building sustainable aquatic food systems, capable of generating greener and decent employment opportunities – especially for young people.

The session will provide a platform for youth and other FAO partners to drive the global conversation on eliminating child labour in aquatic food systems. Discussions will focus on addressing the root causes of child labour – such as poverty, lack of decent work opportunities for adults, and insufficient social protection – while drawing on real-world experiences and lessons learned from the field.

Participants will explore practical solutions to prevent child labour and promote decent work for adults and for youth above the minimum working age in fisheries and aquaculture, in line with Conventions C138, C182 and C188. 

The session will also introduce the new FAO-ILO Guidance on the Elimination of Child Labour in Fisheries and Aquaculture. This resource outlines the factors that perpetuate child labour, explains the relevant international and national frameworks addressing this issue, and presents adaptable strategies and good practices. It is designed to provide evidence-based insights and recommendations to support the development of national strategies, sectoral initiatives, and community-level interventions.