small-scale fishers

A new report argues that governments must involve small-scale fishers when designing plans to protect the oceans. It highlights that coastal communities who depend on fishing are directly affected by marine conservation measures, and that excluding them risks undermining both livelihoods and conservation goals. The findings are drawing attention among environmental and fisheries policy audiences.

A new index ranks countries by their vulnerability to conflict between large-scale industrial fishing operations and small-scale coastal fishers. The tool is intended to help identify where competition over fish stocks, access rights and livelihoods is most likely to spark tension, giving governments and organisations a basis for prevention and policy planning.