Use our innovative tools to build climate-resilient fisheries and oceans

EDF joins fishery stakeholders around the world in celebrating the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022), a celebratory year designated by the United Nations. IYAFA 2022 aims to focus world attention on the role that small-scale fishers, fish farmers and fish workers play in human well-being, food security and nutrition, poverty eradication and sustainable natural resource use. Small-scale fisheries account for roughly half of global fisheries catch and play a fundamental role in the welfare, health and culture of communities worldwide.

EDF and partners are helping strengthen small-scale fisheries governance and community development through the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource and Collaboration Hub (SSF Hub). The SSF Hub is an online, interactive, and multilingual platform for small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities and allies. In celebration of IYAFA, the SSF Hub is hosting a year-long campaign to exchange stories and best practices, and to drive actions needed to protect the lives and livelihoods of small-scale fishers worldwide.

Protecting 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030 is an ambitious and important goal. At the same time, EDF recognizes that the most effective and durable protected areas fit within a “100% solution” in which complementary sustainable management of surrounding waters delivers benefits for both
communities and ocean health. Protected area systems are most durable, defensible and effective when local community expertise, needs and potential benefits are central to their design and implementation.

EDF ecourages efforts to conserve marine ecosystems that follow an inclusive decision-making
process that explicitly protects the rights and tenure of small-scale fishers, smallholder farmers and Indigenous Peoples. Territorial Use Rights for Fishing (TURFs) are one approach to ensure fishers and communities have secure access to fishery resources they rely on for livelihoods and food security.

Resilience in fisheries and fishing communities relies on capable, innovative and diverse leaders who can inspire and drive action toward a more sustainable and equitable future. The Fishery Solutions Center and our partners are working to elevate leaders in fisheries around the world through fellowships and accelerator programs.

EDF and Acumen Academy have teamed up to deliver a new Resilient Small-Scale Fisheries Leadership Accelerator, a 12-week program that equips motivated individuals from or working in service of the small-scale fisheries sector with the leadership skills they need to navigate increasing uncertainty and change. During the program, participants gain a deeper understanding of fisheries systems and develop a powerful network of sustainability-minded peers to advance climate-resilient fisheries.