The WFFP Youth Assembly Of GA8, held on November 15, 2024, brought together a diverse group of young delegates from across the globe, all united by their passion and commitment to the future of fisher peoples. The assembly was a vibrant space for sharing challenges, generating solutions, and strategizing for the future. It highlighted the critical role that youths play in the fishing sector, while also underlining the obstacles they face in pursuing and sustaining their lives and livelihoods of the fisher peoples.
Facilitated by Jones .T.Spartegus from India and Carmen from Masifundise (South Africa), the assembly began with an inspiring introduction that underscored the vital role youth play in the fishing sector. “We are the ones responsible for ensuring that the fishing sector remains alive for years and decades to come,” stated the facilitator. “Our voices must be heard now to prepare the future we want to see.” This sentiment set the tone for the day’s activities.
The first activity—a silent, collaborative effort to form the word “F.I.S.H.”—was a powerful metaphor for the collective work required to bring about the changes needed in the industry. The message was clear: if we work together, we can bring about the change we want to see.
Youth from around the globe shared their experiences and struggles in the fishing industry. A recurring theme was the lack of recognition and support for young fishers, who often face stigmas, financial barriers, and limited access to education and resources.
1. Access to Finance: A Barrier for Young Fishers in the Caribbean
Young fishers in the Caribbean are facing significant financial challenges when trying to enter or expand their fishing operations. The fishing sector is often seen as a high-risk venture, making it difficult for youth to access the capital they need. This financial exclusion is compounded by a general lack of awareness and support from financial institutions, which often view fishing as a volatile and unprofitable business. Young fishers are calling for more accessible financial tools, including grants, loans, and microfinance options that take into account the realities of small-scale fishing operations.
2. The Struggle for Identity and Involvement: Youth in the Philippines
In the Philippines, a gap exists between youth advocates and those from actual fisherfolk communities. Many young people are advocating for better policies and rights but are not directly involved in fishing themselves. One of the core issues is the reluctance of parents to have their children follow in their footsteps. Fishing is often seen as a hard, unrewarding job, and many parents encourage their children to pursue more formal education and professional careers. This disconnect between the generations undermines the passing on of skills, traditions, and a sense of ownership over the fishing communities. To address this, youth advocates are working to show that fishing can be a dignified and sustainable career, one that can provide for future generations while maintaining cultural heritage.
3. Breaking Stigmas: Reclaiming Fishing as a Career
Across several regions, young fishers are confronting the stigma that associates fishing with being an unskilled or undesirable profession. A young fisher from the Caribbean shared his experience of how his father discouraged him from fishing due to the negative perceptions surrounding the industry. Despite receiving an education, he chose to pursue fishing, seeing it as a legacy he wanted to continue. However, the stigma persists, and young people are often deterred from joining the sector. The solution lies in changing public perceptions through education and advocacy, highlighting the value of small-scale fishing not only as a livelihood but also as a crucial part of global food security and sustainability.
4. Education and Training: The Need for Capacity Building
One of the most common challenges faced by youth in the fishing industry is the lack of access to relevant education and technical training. In many regions, youth are not exposed to the science behind sustainable fishing practices, or they lack the skills to innovate and adapt to modern fishing technologies. To bridge this gap, youth advocates are pushing for more structured training programs and capacity-building initiatives, both locally and globally. These programs should address issues like sustainable fisheries management, marine conservation, and the use of new fishing technologies. For instance, in regions like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where youth involvement in fishing is high, there is a need to introduce more technical and engineering education related to fisheries, so young people can help drive innovation within the sector.
5. Drug Use and Social Issues: The Threat of Substance Abuse
In several regions, such as the Caribbean and South Africa, substance abuse is a growing concern among young fishers. The introduction of drugs into fishing communities is causing a public health crisis, undermining community cohesion and the mental well-being of youth. The situation is particularly severe in areas where fishing is seen as a “last resort” career, often after youth fail to find work elsewhere. To counteract this, youth groups are advocating for comprehensive social programs that address mental health, substance abuse prevention, and youth engagement. These initiatives should also include creating alternative livelihoods within the fishing sector, such as technical roles, fish processing, and sustainable tourism.
6. Political Education and Representation
One of the most pressing concerns voiced by youth in the fishing sector is the lack of political representation. Youth are often excluded from key decision-making processes at both the national and international levels. This exclusion is particularly evident in spaces like the United Nations Committee on Food Security and other global platforms where the voices of young fishers are not adequately represented. In response, youth advocates are calling for more political education to help young people understand their rights and how to navigate international policy spaces. They are also pushing for youth to be included in governance structures, so they can actively participate in shaping policies that impact their communities.
7. Climate Change: Adapting to an Uncertain Future
Climate change is already having a profound impact on the fishing industry, with rising sea temperatures, disappearing fish stocks, and coral bleaching threatening the livelihoods of small-scale fishers. In many regions, young fishers are witnessing the direct effects of these changes and are advocating for resilience-building measures. These include sustainable fishing practices, coastal protection, and community-driven adaptation strategies. Youth are also calling for stronger representation in global climate discussions, especially in spaces where the future of small-scale fisheries and coastal communities is being decided.
8. Moving Forward: Organizing for Action
The second youth assembly of WFFP underscored the importance of better organization and coordination among youth in the fishing sector. While a youth working group was established in 2017, it has struggled to gain momentum beyond informal communication channels like WhatsApp. To move forward, youth advocates are proposing a more structured coordination system, with designated representatives from each region. These representatives will help ensure that the concerns and solutions of young fishers are brought to the forefront of WFFP’s activities, as well as in national and international policy discussions. Regular meetings, both online and in-person, will provide platforms for youth to collaborate, share experiences, and take collective action on key issues like capacity building, access to finance, and policy advocacy.
9. The Role of Global Networks and Partnerships
Finally, the WFFP youth assembly emphasized the need for stronger partnerships with global networks and grassroots organizations that can provide technical support, training, and advocacy platforms. For instance, organizations like WhyHunger are actively listening to the needs of youth in the fishing sector and are ready to support initiatives that aim to empower young fishers.
The youth of WFFP are determined to reclaim their role as leaders in the fishing sector. They are advocating for a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for small-scale fishers around the world. By addressing the barriers to finance, education, and political representation, and by pushing for stronger community-based solutions to issues like climate change and substance abuse, youth in the fishing sector are working towards a future where their voices are heard, their rights are respected, and their contributions are recognized. As they organize and coordinate across regions, the future of small-scale fisheries looks more hopeful than ever.