Fishworkers Organization
Declaration of the WFFP 8th General
Assembly, 20 November 2024, Brasilia, Brazil
We, the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) have gathered from around the world from 14 to 21 November 2024 in Brasilia, Brazil for the WFFP’s 8th General Assembly. Even if the spread of COVID pandemic caused delay in our most important decision-making space, we are continuing to fight in support of fisher peoples, encompassing diverse groups of traditional fishermen and fisherwomen, women and men seafood collectors and gatherers.
We invite the world to listen to our voices to advance, protect and safeguard our collective and traditional customary rights, through the implementation of real solutions for our Peoples. We, as representatives of national and regional organizations of fishers from 50 countries counting over 10 mn fisher peoples, reiterate the message that fisher peoples –peoples of the waters and oceans– are the custodians of our planet’s waters and are right-holders working and mobilising for food sovereignty, biodiversity protection, and lifeways that are in harmony with nature.
However, our survival and thriving depend on systemic changes to the global food system, on transformation away from the dominant capitalist model of economic expansion, and on governments recognizing, protecting and advancing our historical customary rights on land, inland waters, coasts, mangroves, seas and all our traditional territories.
Declaration – WFFP 8th General Assembly 20 November 2024 Brasilia, Brazil
BIODIVERSITY
Five key takeaways from UNCBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia
At COP16 in Cali, the time ran out for the Parties to resolve all items on an action-packed agenda. Here are five key highlights shaping the path ahead:
Biodiversity and climate – Two sides of the same coin
Historically, biodiversity concerns —and the outcomes of UNCBD negotiations—have often played second fiddle to climate change on the global stage. However, COP16 signalled a shift, underscoring the urgent need to harmonize climate and biodiversity action. The conference’s outcomes reflected this call for integration, with Parties committing to accelerate the alignment of climate and biodiversity goals.
“It has never been clearer that implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement in a synergistic fashion will make peace with nature within reach,” said Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Key resolutions emphasized collaboration between scientific authorities, such as the World Biodiversity Council and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to bridge the divide. At the
national level, it was underscored that National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) should be closely aligned with planning instruments of other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
A historic milestone for Indigenous representation
“We don’t just want to be included; we want to be part of the decisions and the solutions,” said Sinéia Wapichana, a Brazilian Indigenous leader, at CIFOR-ICRAF’s side event on National Biodiversity Strategies. Her words resonated strongly at COP16’s closing plenary, where Parties adopted a historic Programme of Work on Article 8(j) to ensure Indigenous voices are integral to biodiversity governance.
Organizational Profile
Latin American Union of Artisanal Fisheries (ULAPA)
The Latin American Union of Artisanal Fisheries (ULAPA) is an international organization of artisanal fishermen and fisherwomen that brings together national federations from 12 Latin American countries to defend small-scale fisheries (SSF) against global threats. “We are small-scale fishermen and women, representing many other fishworkers, we are the voice of small-scale fisheries in Latin America and we want our voice to be heard at a global scale. We have organized in order to be stronger in our fight for the right to fish, so that small-scale fishing does not disappear and remains, instead, a fundamental pillar of food security.”
ULAPA works to protect all small-scale fishing activities in all types of waters: deep seas, inshore, the one-mile strip and inland waters. It includes dive-fishing, shellfish and seaweed harvesting, and small-scale aquaculture of fish, shellfish and seaweed.
The union was founded through an agreement signed at the IV Latin American Small-scale Fisheries Congress and announced at the Our Ocean Conference, both of which took place in Vina del Mar in Chile in early October 2015.
In 2023, ULAPA was officially certified before the notary public at the Latin American Small-scale Fisheries Congress held in Valparaiso on December 12-14. The resolution was published in the Official Journal on January 31, 2024. Zoila Bustamante Cardenas was democratically elected the organization’s president.
ULAPA’s membership consists of the following associations of small-scale fishermen and fisherwomen:
ULAPA represents small-scale fisheries organizations from Peru, El Salvador, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Argentina, Panama, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Chile. It takes part in national and international meetings between its members and also in those organized by the United Nations (UN), such as the those on climate change, the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), among others.
Contributed by Monica Moreno Reyes (conapachperiodista2@gmail.com), a journalist with the National Confederation of Artisanal Fishermen of Chile, CONAPACH (www.conapach.cl)
Biodiversity
The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Japan
The newly formulated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) of Japan 2023-2030 sets out such matters to be addressed for the achievement of the GBF based on the experiences gained and lessons learned from the implementation of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and past national strategies, as well as issues in Japan posed in interaction between Japan and the rest of the world, and the matters to be addressed in response to the challenges at national level.
Regulations and management of existing protected areas based on laws and regulations In existing protected areas*, appropriate management and surveys will be steadily implemented based on laws, regulations, and systems, and if necessary, new areas will be designated or areas will be reviewed. ((Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT))
* Coastal and Marine Protected Areas (Applicable systems will be reviewed as necessary)
| Type | Area |
| Natural parks | 19,115 km2 |
| Natural Seashore Conservation Areas | 91 areas |
| Nature Conservation Areas | 1 km2 |
| Offshore Seabed Nature Conservation Areas | 226,834 km2 |
| Wildlife Protection Areas | 661 km2 |
| Habitat Protection Zones (No marine areas designated) | – |
| Natural monuments | – |
| Protected water surfaces | 28 km2 |
| Coastal fisheries resource development zones, designated marine areas | 333,616 km2 |
| Areas designated by prefectures, fishery organizations, etc | – |
| Common fishery right areas | 87,200 km2 |
Note: The 13.3% share of protected areas in Japan’s marine area does not match with the percentage of the total area above due to overlapping areas.
(Data updated based on the Ministry of the Environment’s “Survey and Study for Discussions on International Targets after 2021 under the Convention on Biodiversity” report issued in FY2021)…
Improvement of water quality in rural areas by building drainage facilities, and so on Install fisheries community sewerage systems for fisheries communities
In order to improve the water environment of fishing ports and fishing grounds as well as the living environment of fishing communities, efforts will made to build efficient fisheries community sewerage systems for fishing communities in conjunction with sewage systems and septic tanks, based on the Prefectural Plan for sewage treatment. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
Improvement of water quality by building drainage facilities and others for rural communities
To conserve the water quality of agricultural wastewater and contribute to the conservation of water quality in Areas of Public Waters, efforts will be made to build efficient rural community sewage facilities together with sewage systems and septic tanks, based on the prefectural vision for wastewater treatment drawn up by prefectures.
Water quality conservation facilities will be developed to conserve the environment in rural areas and purify the polluted water from agricultural drainage facilities.
Facilities to prevent runoff of cultivated soil will be developed to prevent runoff of red soil and others and reduce water quality load from agricultural lands in Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami islands. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Current status and target
| Indicator | Current status | Target value |
| Population coverage of sewage treatment | 92.6% | More than 95% |
| (FY2021) | (FY2026) |
Transition toward resource management agreement in fisheries resource management
The framework for promoting resource management based on a combination of official regulations by the national and prefectural governments with voluntary efforts by people engaging in fisheries will continue to exist. On the other hand, the resource management plan that prescribes the voluntary efforts is expected to be transited to the resource management agreement based on the revised Fisheries Act. By FY2023, the government will complete the transition of the resource management plans toward the resource management agreements based on the revised Fisheries Act (MAFF).
Securing new workers in fishing village areas
The government will support promoting employment and continuous engagement in fisheries through providing financial support to those who have not engaged in fishery industry and through long-term on-site training at fishery sites. Also, the government will support acquisition of licenses such as maritime officers, improving management skills of people engaging in fisheries and other efforts. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
Sustainability Consortium 2030 – for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food
Using the Sustainability Consortium for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food as a platform, the government promotes dialogue with diverse stakeholders and drives behavioral change from price oriented consumption to sustainability-oriented consumption and accelerates sustainable production and consumption. Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
Therefore, each of us should become aware that our consumption, supported by natural resources of foreign countries, is based on the loss of biodiversity in the exporting countries and recognize that our life is supported by many lives of various organisms. It is then important for us to make conscious efforts in our daily lives to ensure the sustainable use of biodiversity along with its conservation overseas as well as in Japan. In an era where global biodiversity loss is a concern, it is necessary for us to realize that the importation of a great part of our food, wood and other resources means the importation of large quantities of substances such as nitrogen. For example, excess amounts of nitrogen cause eutrophication of inland waters and the sea.
In coastal areas, there are areas called “satoumi”, where there have been human interventions while remaining in harmony with natural ecosystems in order to conserve biodiversity and to achieve high bioproductivity. Satoumi areas have historically had close relationships with our life and culture. For example, satoumi areas contain areas where fishermen have been conserving biodiversity through voluntary joint management and sustainably utilizing components of biodiversity to harvest marine products. They also contain areas where ecosystems have been conserved through collaboration between various parties for the restoration of seagrass beds, collection of marine litter and other activities.
Rich fishing grounds are conserved through forests in upstream areas being maintained properly with support from fishermen and other interested people. Coastal areas which nurture rich life continuously supply plenty of diverse kinds of seafood to people. In addition, healthy ecosystems are maintained in coastal areas through humans living in harmony with nature.
Source: The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Japan 2023-2030: The Roadmap to Realizing Nature-Positive by 2030
https://www.env.go.jp/content/000256855.pdf
INFOLOG: New resources at ICSF
Publications and Films
Brochure on Social Development and Fishing Communities by ICSF, 2024
Brochure on Social Development and Fishing Communities by ICSF, 2024
This brochure contains the challenges and recommendations from the eight countrie’s case studies on ‘Social Development and Sustainable Fisheries’ conducted by ICSF.
Rallying to Rome: Special People. Collective Processes. A Unique Event by John Kurien, 2024
Rallying to Rome: Special People. Collective Processes. A Unique Event by John Kurien, 2024
This is a personal account of the collective efforts that went into holding in Rome- parallel to WFC- the first International Conference of Fishworkers and their Supporters (ICFWS).
Review of the state of the world fishery resources: Inland fisheries by FAO, 2024
https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/2eeb3a23-a35e-42bf-a546-3baeb37dd35d
This review analyzes trends of inland capture fisheries at global, continental and subcontinental levels.
Small-scale fisheries governance by FAO, 2024
This publication is an overview of the SSF Guidelines and guidance on their implementation in particular with regard to good governance and the enabling environment needed.
Gender Equality and the Convention on Biological Diversity: A Compilation of Decision Texts from COP1 to COP15 by Women4Biodiversity and SwedBio, 2024
This updated compilation of decisions from COP 1 to COP15 related to gender considerations in the CBD is a crucial step towards mainstreaming gender equality in biodiversity conservation efforts.
Films
Impact of Climate Change on SSF in Bangladesh: Voices from the Ground by ICSF, 2024
Film: Impact of Climate Change on SSF in Bangladesh: Voices from the Ground by ICSF, 2024
Climate Change Impacts and Small-scale Fisheries: Vietnam by ICSF
Tam Tien, a coastal commune in Nui Thanh district, Quang Nam province, Central Vietnam is known for its beautiful landscapes and rich aquatic resources, supporting small-scale fishing, aquaculture, and seafood trading.
Flashback
Reserving a Role for Communities
Communities, if seen as rights holders, can be powerful allies in conservation and management of coastal and marine resources through protected areas Coastal fishing communities, threatened as they are by biodiversity loss and degradation of coastal ecosystems, have been demanding effective action to protect and manage coastal and marine habitats and resources. In several parts of the world, they have been known to take their own initiatives to protect and manage their resources, given the close links between their livelihoods and the health of the resource base.
Clearly, communities can be powerful allies in efforts for conservation and management of coastal and marine resources. Problems arise, however, due to conservation approaches with pre-determined agendas that serve to alienate indigenous and local fishing communities. The current target orientation in some countries to expand areas under marine protected areas (MPAs), while short- circuiting participatory processes, is a case in point. Not surprisingly, such approaches are proving ineffective from the perspective of both conservation and livelihood.
In particular, there is a need to recognize the traditional and customary rights of fishing communities to resources, as well their rights to engage in responsible fisheries, in keeping with the principle of sustainable use of biodiversity. Communities traditionally dependent on the resource base must be seen as rights holders in decision-making processes. This means that the choice of appropriate management/conservation tools, objectives and plans, governance structures, provisions for community representation, and implementation and monitoring, should be decided in consultation with local communities, and the governance structure itself ought to represent the various social groups within the community, including women.
As important is the need to adopt appropriate strategies and tools within a wider marine and coastal management framework. Establishing MPAs is pointless if, for example, pollution and uncontrolled development continue to jeopardize the health of coastal and marine ecosystems at the larger level. This was highlighted by participants, including representatives of fishing-community organizations, at a recent workshop on marine reserves in India (see “Declaration of Charter”, pg. 47). As CBD’s Working Group on Protected Areas meets in Rome, Italy from 13 to 17 February 2008, it would do well to take note of these issues. The future of both effective conservation and millions of livelihoods is at stake…
– from SAMUDRA Report, No. 48, November 2007
Announcements
Meetings
ICSF’s International Workshop on Small-scale Fisheries, 24-26 February 2024, Colombo Sri Lanka
ICSF’s International Workshop on Small-scale Fisheries 24-26 February 2024, Sri Lanka
Second Resumed Session of UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 16), 25–27 February 2025, Rome, Italy
https://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2024/ntf-2024-110-cop16-en.pdf
2025 UN Ocean Conference, Nice, France, 9 – 13 June 2025
https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025
20th session Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (COFI-FT), Virtual, 12-16 May 2025
https://www.fao.org/about/meetings/cofi-sub-committee-on-fish-trade/en/
Website
Women4Biodiversity
The network provides a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise and brings together various sectors with the intersectionality of gender and the environment looking from the nexus of biodiversity and women’s rights.
2nd Small-scale Fisheries Summit (SSF Summit 2024), Rome, Italy
2nd Small-Scale Fisheries Summit (SSF Summit 2024), FAO, Rome, Italy
The 2nd Small-scale Fisheries Summit (SSF Summit 2024) was held at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, from July 5-7, 2024. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty (IPC) Working Group on Fisheries, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), the Small-scale Fisheries Resource and Collaboration Hub (SSF Hub), and by SwedBio.
