September 2024 SFP News

In this first issue of SFP News, we’ve got updates on a range of our work, some new and innovative, and some long-term projects that we’ve been supporting from the beginning. Read on to see the latest.

U.S. Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery achieves RFM certification

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery is now the first shrimp fishery in the world to be certified to the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) Standard. This certification, which was awarded to the American Shrimp Processors Association this month, is the culmination of years of collaboration and fishery improvement work among the shrimp industry, management agencies, and NGOs. 

SFP began working in the fishery 15 years ago, initiating the first fishery improvement projects (FIPs) in the region. These FIPs have since transitioned to industry leadership. Subsequent FIP launches, coordination, and research have been supported by the Audubon Nature Institute, Texas Sea Grant, and SFP’s U.S. Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Supply Chain Roundtable.

New SFP study will improve the evaluation of data-limited and non-assessed fisheries

 A study by SFP’s FishSource team, Probability ogives for trends in stock biomass and fishing mortality from landings time series, will improve the FishSource methodology for determining stock biomass and fishing mortality trends in data-limited fisheries. The study, published in the journal Fish and Fisheries, will help support high-level management decision making and give stakeholders a new tool for understanding the state of non-assessed fisheries. The study was conducted under the USAID-FishRight project, and also with funding from the Walton Family Foundation.

Strengthening fisher participation and co-management in Indonesia

Network will increase fisher participation in Sulawesi fisheries management: In August, 26 fishers representing snapper, grouper, and octopus fishing communities throughout Sulawesi came together to establish the Indonesia National Demersal Fisheries Network. SFP helped to facilitate the development of the network, which aims to increase the involvement of small-scale demersal fishers in sustainable fisheries management

Co-management for blue swimming crab fisheries in Central Java: SFP and the Central Java Fishery Office (DKP) held a two-day training in September to strengthen the Central Java Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) Fisheries Management Committee. The training focused on collaborative management and involved more than 60 participants, including government officials, fishers, academics, and industry representatives. Key discussions highlighted co-management as essential for sustainable fisheries, promoting shared roles and responsibilities among all stakeholders. The training also emphasized ecosystem-based fisheries management, aimed at balancing socio-economic benefits with environmental sustainability.

SFP Staff on the Road

SFP pitches ecosystem aquaculture concept at Global Shrimp Forum

During a session at the 2024 Global Shrimp Forum in Utrecht, the Netherlands, SFP Aquaculture Information Manager Paul Bulcock pitched our plans to build a foundation for landscape-level improvements in Indian shrimp. Along with Global Markets Deputy Director/Advisory Services Director Mercedes Mendoza, Bulcock discussed SFP’s efforts in Andhra Pradesh, India, to build a framework for ecosystem aquaculture that encompasses industry, nature, and people.

 Focus on traceability at Seafood Expo Asia

 At Seafood Expo Asia in Singapore earlier this month, SFP's Supply Chain Roundtables Director Carmen GONZALEZ VALLES MARTINEZ (with microphone) and Board Chair Cat Dorey (second from left) participated in a panel session on improving seafood traceability, organized by the IUU Forum Japan and traceability and IUU experts. González-Vallés focused specifically on the complex squid value chain, which makes it extremely difficult to trace final products. The Asia region is a key player in the global squid value chain – as importer, processor, and consumer – and traceability is essential to combat IUU fishing. SFP’s Global Squid Supply Chain Roundtable (SR) is working to provide training and education to develop procurement policies that include traceability requirements, and to implement due diligence measures and establish long-term relationships with their suppliers to trace squid to its origin.

Gear-lending library highlights importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration

SFP Protecting Ocean Wildlife Program Manager Anne DiMonti met multiple stakeholders at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) On-Demand Gear Library this month. The tour highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, NGOs, and funders to achieve goals that consider the interests and concerns of all groups. 

The group toured the facility, in Pocasset, Massachusetts, to learn more about the nine different types of on-demand gear currently available to fishers free of charge for trial, and the successes and challenges faced by the program. 

Read Anne's blog about her visit!

Thanks for reading the first edition of the SFP News newsletter! For more information, visit the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership website.