Icons Edge’s Post

🐟 It's Sustainable Seafood Week! 🐟 A time to celebrate the WA fisheries that supply us with world-class, sustainable seafood. This week we'll be highlighting a number of WA fisheries who are setting a world-wide standard in sustainability. How Can Primary Seafood Producers Commit to Sustainability? ✓ monitor species populations to prevent overfishing ✓ reduce by-catch and maintain stock levels ✓ reduce or eliminate impact on the marine environment ✓ implement effective management to ensure a healthy marine ecology for the future ✓ work together with government agencies by recording and sharing catch data. The WA Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development reports on the status of each fishery which has allowed WA’s significant commercial fisheries to undergo independent assessment and achieve environmental certification under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. ✓ by being audited and receiving certification by independent organisations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Friends of the Sea (FoS) or the Australian Conservation Foundation's (ACF) Sustainable Australian Seafood Assessment Program Endeavour Foods have been supporting local sustainable seafood producers for over 23 years. As passionate advocates for sustainability, we're committed to championing not only the high-quality produce that comes from responsible fisheries, but also the very ocean ecosystems that sustain them. 📸 Brown Dog Fishing Co. #sustainableseafoodweek Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC)

🌊 Fisheries Co-Management: A Path to Sustainable Oceans and Thriving Communities 🌍 In an era of overfishing and increasing pressures on marine ecosystems, the need for sustainable fisheries management has never been more critical. One of the most effective solutions we are seeing emerge is fisheries co-management—a collaborative approach where local communities, government agencies, and stakeholders share the responsibility of managing fishery resources. This partnership allows for better alignment of priorities and local knowledge integration, leading to more sustainable and equitable outcomes. How Fisheries Co-Management Works: Co-management is built on the principle that the people who directly depend on marine resources should have a role in their management. By involving local fishers in decision-making processes, we foster a sense of ownership and stewardship, which leads to better compliance with sustainable practices and regulations. Governments and agencies bring in scientific knowledge and regulatory frameworks, while communities contribute their traditional knowledge and understanding of local ecosystems. Key Benefits: 1. Sustainable Fisheries: By regulating fishing practices, we can prevent overfishing, allowing fish stocks to recover and ensuring long-term food security for coastal communities. 🐠 2. Community Empowerment: Involving local fishers in governance fosters stronger, more resilient communities, giving them a direct stake in preserving the resources they depend on. ✊ 3. Enhanced Biodiversity: Responsible management leads to healthier marine ecosystems, benefiting not just fishers but also marine biodiversity. 🌱 4. Economic Stability: With sustainable practices, fisheries can remain productive for future generations, supporting local economies through consistent yields. 💼 Co-management offers a roadmap to balance the needs of both people and planet. Let’s embrace it for a sustainable future. 💙 #FisheriesCoManagement #BlueEconomy #SustainableFisheries #BlueBiz #CommunityLedConservation #MarineConservation #OceanResilience

Sustainable fisheries face several key challenges: One of the most significant threats to fisheries sustainability is overfishing, where fish are harvested at a rate faster than they can reproduce. This leads to declining fish populations, disrupting the marine ecosystem and threatening the livelihoods of those who depend on fishing. Bycatch refers to the unintentional capture of non-target species, such as dolphins, turtles, and seabirds, in fishing gear. Bycatch can have significant ecological impacts, disrupting marine ecosystems and threatening the survival of vulnerable species. Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing undermines efforts to manage fisheries sustainably by operating outside of regulations and quotas. It depletes fish stocks, distorts market prices, and undermines the livelihoods of legal fishers. Habitat destruction reduces biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, impacting the long-term sustainability of fisheries. Climate change is altering ocean temperatures, currents, and habitats, affecting the distribution and abundance of fish species. It can also exacerbate other threats to fisheries, such as coral bleaching and ocean acidification, further compromising the resilience of marine ecosystems. Ineffective governance and management of fisheries can exacerbate unsustainable practices. Weak enforcement of regulations, lack of stakeholder engagement, and limited resources for monitoring and enforcement contribute to overfishing and other threats to sustainability. Global demand for seafood continues to rise, putting pressure on fish stocks and incentivizing unsustainable fishing practices. Additionally, complex supply chains and market dynamics can make it difficult to trace the origins of seafood and ensure its sustainability. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive management strategies that prioritize ecosystem health, stakeholder collaboration, and adaptive governance. This may involve implementing science-based fisheries management plans, strengthening enforcement of regulations, promoting sustainable seafood consumption, and supporting community-based management initiatives. #Sustainable #fisheries #challenges #Bycatch #management #overfishing #Climate #change

Low Impact Fishers of Europe Manifesto for the Xth Legislature. Today, EC President Ursula Von der Leyen is expected to announce how responsibilities will be assigned in the new Commission. At the same time, newly elected MEPs have been assigned to their respective committees to carry out their legislative functions. In the case of fisheries, #CarmenCrespoDiaz, has been elected as President of the Fisheries Committee. As an association representing 37 national and local level organisations across 15 European countries committed to low environmental impact fishing with a high socio-economic value, LIFE has set out it's Manifesto for the Xth legislature, based on the following priorities: - Developing a differentiated policy and management approach for small and large-scale fisheries - Restoring fish stocks with better use of science and better decision-making processes - Implementing Article 17 to promote low environmental impact fishing with a high social value - Ending Harmful Subsidies and increasing support for SSF Producer Organisations and Direct Marketing - Promoting Co-management: an invaluable tool to secure sustainable inshore fisheries - Promoting local, fair and sustainable food systems Here is a link to the full Manifesto: https://lnkd.in/eUYfW6QW

🌊 Exciting times ahead for fisheries policy with the new EU legislature! At FSK-PO, we're fully aligned with @RasmusNordquist and #LIFE’s push for better policies that truly support low-impact, high-value fishing. From co-management to fairer local food systems, it’s time to level the playing field for small-scale fishers. 🎣 Let's make sure these voices are heard loud and clear in the new Pech committee. #SustainableFisheries #LowImpactHighValue #SSFFuture

At last, a scientific and rigorous definition of sustainable fishing! The Common Fisheries Policy, European regulations on marine protected areas (and their implementation by Member States such as France) and MSC-style labels have a lot of improving to do before they come close. In the meantime: (strong) moderation is the order of the day when it comes to eating seafood! https://lnkd.in/dmPuTJmR

🌊🐟 World Fisheries Day 2024 🌍 Celebrated every November 21, this day highlights the critical role of sustainable fisheries in supporting global food security, marine ecosystems, and the livelihoods of millions worldwide. 🌏✨ This year’s theme, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures”, calls for collective action to protect our oceans and embrace eco-friendly fishing practices. 🌿💙 🔑 Key Highlights: 🌱 Sustainable fishing to preserve marine biodiversity. 💼 Empowering small-scale fishers, who make up 90% of the global fishing community. 🍽️ Ensuring food security for billions who rely on fish for essential nutrition. 🚨 Addressing overfishing, pollution, and climate impacts. Oceanpick is proud to host an awareness program with key partners, focusing on illegal fishing, boating safety, and biosecurity to support our fisheries community. Together, we strive for a sustainable future. 💙 #WorldFisheriesDay #Sustainability #ProtectOurOceans #FoodSecurity

New Waves in Sustainable Fisheries: Insights from Our Recent Panel on the EU Due Diligence Directive 🌊 Last Wednesday at Seafood Expo Global, I had the privilege of moderating a panel that delved deep into the effects of the groundbreaking EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive on small-scale fisheries. Our engaging panel brought diverse perspectives to the forefront, highlighting the complexities and opportunities this directive presents. 🔹 Francesca Peretti from ClientEarth kicked off the discussion by providing an insightful overview of the Directive, setting the stage for an enriching conversation. 🔹 Yago Doson, representing Iberostar Hotels and Resorts, voiced concerns about the potential for the Directive to favor larger, vertically integrated suppliers. He highlighted the challenge it poses to using the market as a catalyst for improvements within small-scale fisheries (SSF), particularly those from the Global South, potentially limiting their market access. 🔹 Enrique Alonso introduced us to two innovative tools developed by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) within its FishSource rating system. Aimed at assisting companies in the EU supply chain, these tools facilitate the initial, crucial steps of risk-based due diligence as mandated by the Directive, offering a beacon for navigating these new waters. 🔹 Jose Alvarado "Lule", a representative from the Southern Hake artisanal sector of Chile, shared a hopeful perspective. He expects the Directive to illuminate the social challenges often overshadowed by certifications like MSC, particularly within the industrial segment of fisheries. Further, he noted an ongoing discussion in Chile on a new fisheries law aimed at addressing the adversities faced by the artisanal sector. The panel underscored a critical juncture for the seafood industry, as it grapples with integrating sustainability and human rights into its core. While challenges lie ahead, especially for SSF in maintaining market access, there are clear pathways emerging for adaptation and improvement. Thanks to the panelist for lending themselves to this discussion. Our conversation reaffirmed the importance of collaborative, thoughtful approaches to ensuring that sustainable and equitable practices become the norm across all scales of fisheries. Let's continue to spotlight and support initiatives that prioritise the health of our oceans and the well-being of the communities that depend on them. 🌍🐟 #SustainableFisheries #DueDiligenceDirective #SSF #EURegulations #Sustainability #FishSource #ArtisanalFishing

A new report from top ocean experts has redefined the concept of sustainable fishing, offering 11 “golden rules” to overhaul the flawed approach dominating current fisheries management. The groundbreaking guidelines, published in the journal npj Ocean Sustainability under the title “Rethinking sustainability of marine fisheries for a fast-changing planet,” aim to stop the ongoing destruction of marine ecosystems caused by fishing and ensure the regeneration of abundant fish populations for future generations. This report comes at a crucial time, released just ahead of Brussels’ Ocean Week and a few months before the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. The scientists behind the report have raised concerns about the declining health of the oceans and the urgent need for new management frameworks to safeguard marine life. These principles form the foundation of a new vision for sustainable fisheries, aiming to reshape global fishing practices and policies to benefit both the environment and society.

Have you ever thought about the importance of sustainable fisheries for maintaining fish populations and preserving marine ecosystems? Sustainable fisheries involve implementing responsible fishing practices, establishing protected marine areas, and promoting sustainable aquaculture. Key strategies include preventing overfishing through catch limits, seasonal restrictions, and bycatch reduction. Imagine the impact we can make by establishing marine reserves to protect biodiversity and support fish stock recovery. Promoting sustainable aquaculture with eco-friendly practices and sustainable feed can significantly reduce environmental impact. By working together on these efforts, we can ensure the health of our oceans and the well-being of future generations. What steps will you take to support sustainable fisheries? Share your ideas and join the conversation. https://lnkd.in/eKAufPK9 #SustainableFisheries #MarineConservation #OceanHealth #SaveOurSeas #EcoFriendly #MarineReserves #Overfishing #SustainableAquaculture #CommunityInvolvement #MarineBiodiversity #CatchLimits #EcoFriendlyPractices #FishingRegulations #FishStockRecovery #OceanProtection #SustainableSeafood #EnvironmentalStewardship #AquaticEcosystems #MarineLife #FutureGenerations