Nearly a hundred representatives of artisanal fisheries, civil society and African and European institutions participated on Thursday 10 February in a webinar organised by the African Confederation of Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA).
In the run-up to the EU-African Union summit on 17-18 February, CAOPA and its partners wanted to open up a debate on how the Africa-Europe partnership can support artisanal fisheries in Africa. Following the webinar, CAOPA, AFRIFISH and other CSOs signed a declaration calling on European and African decision makers to join forces to support sustainable artisanal fisheries in Africa.
The webinar featured interventions from men and women working in artisanal fisheries as well as experts in fisheries issues. The moderator, fisheries scientist and former director of the Dakar-Thiaroye Oceanographic Research Centre (CRODT), Dr. Alassane Samba, began by outlining the elements of the framework that guides EU-AU fisheries relations. He also recalled two key demands of African artisanal fishing communities: the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries and the joint management of small pelagics in West Africa through the creation of a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO).
The year 2022 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. On this occasion, CAOPA, representing men and women working in maritime and inland artisanal fisheries in 27 African countries, developed its advocacy priorities, presented during the webinar by their president, Mr. Gaoussou Gueye. Their first demand is that states grant exclusive fishing rights to artisanal fishers in coastal areas, which should be fully co-managed between the state and the fishers. He added that this "management should give priority access to those fishing for direct human consumption, rather than to the fishmeal and fish oil industry".
Secondly, he highlighted that another priority is the promotion of the place of women in artisanal fisheries, their participation in professional organisations, but also the " investment in services and infrastructure such as drinking water, drainage, electricity..." on the fish processing sites where they work. Finally, Mr. Gueye insisted that "a precautionary approach must guide the development of the blue economy", recalling that other more powerful sectors compete with artisanal fisheries, which should be protected.
Panelists: transparency, women, access to resources
Ms Teri Tuxson, the first of three panelists, representing the Pacific Network of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA), explained how marine areas can be better managed with the participation of communities: "it starts with raising their awareness and capacity, as well as facilitating their presence in decision-making processes". In her view, transparency is crucial for responsible governance of marine and coastal resources.
The presentation by Ms Micheline Dion, in charge of CAOPA women programme, focused on the innovative capacities of women in artisanal fisheries and their contribution to food security, job creation and the fight against poverty. She spoke of several initiatives, including artisanal fish farming coupled with vegetable production, the introduction of more efficient and less polluting ovens for fish processing, such as FTT ovens or solar ovens, and access to decent housing, crèches or schools for children.
Criticisms voiced by participants were reflected in a joint declaration at the occasion of the EU-AU summit: "The participation of artisanal fisheries stakeholders by appropriate means must be a priority in the definition, implementation and evaluation of the results of fisheries projects supported under the EU-AU partnership". Photo: MEDIAPROD Agency.
African fisheries stakeholders should take note of a key date, - 19th November 2021-, as it gave birth to the Pan-African Fisheries and Aquaculture Non-State Actors (AFRIFISH) platform, composed of representatives of regional NSAs. Mr. Okeloh Namadoa, the third panelist, explained the objectives of AFRIFISH. "Priority access to fisheries and marine resources MUST be guaranteed to African artisanal fishers, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14b, which is to guarantee access to the resources they exploit and the areas where they fish", and recalled that fisheries and aquaculture constitute the largest component of the blue economy sector in Africa.
What about the European Union?
Finally, Ms. Anaïd Panossian, legal expert for CFFA, presented the main components of the EU's support to African artisanal fisheries: "From 2014 to 2020, an estimated amount of 720 M euros has been committed to promote better governance of the oceans in partner countries", including 40 projects concerning fisheries and aquaculture, with Africa being the main beneficiary of funds. Panossian stressed that the EU has made progress in including CSOs, but that this is far from being achieved at the level of African administrations and regional organisations. "It is the duty of the partner state to have the same approach, to promote the participation of CSOs in decision-making processes, to systematically consult and design projects with professional organisations," she concluded.
Participants then had the opportunity to ask questions or add to the debate, which centered on issues such as improving the effectiveness of funding allocated under the EU-AU partnership, the involvement of coastal communities in resource management, the harmonisation of policies for shared resources - particularly small pelagics, and the importance of supporting research.
Participation of local communities is essential
On Monday 14 February, CAOPA participated in a high-level panel entitled "Fostering a Transcontinental Africa-Europe Dialogue on Ocean Governance" where the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Mr. Virginius Sinkevicius, announced the creation of an EU-Africa Blue Task Force on Ocean Governance. Speakers at the round table referred to the "inclusive" character of this taskforce. CAOPA stressed the importance of involving coastal and fishing communities in decision-making, highlighting successful examples of Marine Protected Areas established and managed by fishing communities in West Africa.
During last Thursday's webinar several fishing community representatives spoke of the lack of post-funding control to ensure that funds are used optimally and serve the interests of coastal communities. Many commitments are made “at the top” and promises of support for artisanal fisheries are made, but grassroots communities see few concrete results. These criticisms were echoed in the joint statement issued today for the EU-AU summit: "The participation of artisanal fisheries stakeholders through appropriate means must be a priority in the definition, implementation and evaluation of the results of fisheries projects supported under the EU-AU partnership”.
More information:
Click here to view the webinar again
Click here to read the joint statement by six professional and civil society organisations
Banner photo: Woman fish processor in Kafountine, Casamance (Senegal), Agence MEDIAPROD.
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