As the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) gets underway, the International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) is urging policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize the critical role of fisheries in global biodiversity efforts.
‘It’s important to emphasise that fish are biodiversity, underscoring their crucial contribution to global food security and the livelihoods of coastal communities,’ said ICFA’s interim chairman Javier Garat.
The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) includes 15 references to “sustainable use,” a clear acknowledgment of the vital role that sustainably managed fisheries play. In particular, Target 10 highlights the importance of sustainable food production systems for global food security.
The key messages ICFA is seeking to get across are that the sustainable use of fish is essential to food security and economic benefits for coastal communities. The Global Biodiversity Framework recognises this through multiple references to sustainable use, particularly in Targets 3 and 10.
In addition, ICFA stresses that effective fisheries management is the strongest tool for protecting ocean health while ensuring human development, while conservation efforts need to integrate the sustainable use of marine resources to benefit both people and the planet.
‘Collaboration is Key. The fisheries sector must be involved in biodiversity conservation discussions to achieve long-lasting solutions,’ Javier Garat said, adding that ICFA is backing initiatives such as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), which promote cross-sector collaboration between fisheries and conservation.
ICFA welcomes the recognition of RFMO’s in the biodiversity mainstreaming process and urges the FAO to continue supporting these bodies in multilateral environmental agreements.
