Improving conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems


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In Discussion with Matthew Camilleri on FAO’s partnership with the World Maritime University

04/04/2022 - 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Maritime University (WMU), a United Nations General Assembly recognized global centre of excellence on maritime and ocean education, research, capacity-building and economic development, are strengthening efforts to improve conservation and sustainable utilization of marine resources and ecosystems through combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing). The partnership, initiated in 2018 and renewed in late 2021, is raising awareness and developing capacities on the severe consequences of IUU fishing to support sustainable utilization of fisheries resources, improve ocean governance and enhance safe and responsible fishing. 

 

Matthew Camilleri leads FAO’s team on the Fisheries Global and Regional Processes and shares his views on the significance, impact and future of the FAO-WMU partnership.

 

Matthew, what mutual interests exist that make this partnership a strategic and meaningful collaboration?

The partnership aligns itself to Blue Transformation, a priority programme area under FAO’s vision of four betters - better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. In 2017, FAO launched a global programme to support implementation of the FAO’s Port State Measures Agreement (PMSA) and complementary international instruments to combat IUU fishing. To date, the GCDP has received funding totaling almost 30 million USD and in 2022 has 16 ongoing projects, including a fully-fledged training programme and related materials on the implementation of the PSMA delivered in collaboration with WMU and academic institutions at national and international levels. These initiatives are also very much aligned with WMU’s CAPFISH Project which raises awareness about available international instruments to combat IUU fishing. By working together, FAO and WMU ensure better coordination and the maximization of resources available for capacity development to combat IUU fishing and related matters. 

 

Tell us how this partnership is contributing to conservation and sustainable utilization of fisheries resources?

As I mentioned, FAO and WMU are collaborating in the development of training programmes on international instruments related to fisheries and the maritime sector. These training initiatives, which join FAO and WMU’s respective technical and academic competencies, are raising awareness and strengthening capacities on national, regional and global efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks and in safety and working conditions for fishers.

 

What are some of the partnership activities anticipated in 2022? 

This year FAO and WMU will deliver a two-week pilot course on interagency cooperation requirements of the FAO PMSA, the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Cape Town Agreement, and Convention 188 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to strengthen understanding and coordination among national authorities responsible for Port State Measures and Port State Control so as to create more harmonization in efforts to combat IUU fishing, ensure safety at sea and improve working conditions in fisheries sector.

What impacts have you seen resulting from this partnership?

From the beginning, FAO contributed to WMU academic courses on aspects of fisheries management and combating IUU fishing under the overall framework of FAO-ILO-IMO Joint Working Group on IUU Fishing and Related Matters. These academic courses raise expertise of FAO Members on the implementation of international fisheries instruments for sustainable safe and responsible fishing. 

Thanks Matthew. Any last words?

Greater coherence and actions are needed to achieve the global goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To facilitate this vision, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2022 with both the International year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the kick-off of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. These are important initiatives for a sustainable future and I am pleased that the FAO-WMU partnership is facilitating these aspirations by contributing to sustainable management of fish stocks, leading to a healthier ocean ecosystem and richer biodiversity.