September 21, 2009
Uncategorized
Comments Off
This statement is the outcome of a two day workshop held in Copenhagen, Denmark, 8-9 September, 2009. It is prepared by the Danish Fishing Network and representatives from the African Union Fisheries Division, the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (India), Tambuyog Development Centre (the Philippines), Coastal Links (South Africa) and Institute for Security Studies (South Africa).
It is now widely accepted that global fisheries are in crisis. The European Union, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the World Bank, Civil Society, small-scale and artisanal fishworker organizations and researchers from all over the world have alerted us and predict enormous economic losses, depletion of fish and ecosystem degradation, increasing levels of food insecurity and increased poverty in the worlds’ small-scale fishing communities.
To overcome this crisis it is imperative for decision-making bodies, particularly national and international governing institutions, to address the underlying problems. The following paragraphs provide some key proposals for addressing the above issues.
Fisheries Access (Partnership) Agreements between ACP countries and the world’s biggest fishing nations, including the EU, China, Japan and the USA, have a significant negative impact in the world’s fish stocks. The decline in fish stocks in ACP countries, primarily as a result of overfishing by foreign vessels, is having a negative impact on the potential for small-scale fisheries to thrive and develop. It is therefore imperative to reconsider and renegotiate the fisheries partnership agreements and change the objectives of these agreements from extracting the resources to achieving sustainable fisheries. Renegotiation must be more inclusive, and guarantee the participation of small-scale fishing communities and civil society organizations. Furthermore, it is crucial that only excess fish stocks are allowed to be harvested by foreign interests, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and that the precautionary principle is applied in the case of inadequate scientific information, in accordance with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Finally, the financial compensation received by ACP countries has to accurately reflect the value of the resources harvested, and be used to assist small-scale fisheries to develop, while ensuring biological sustainablity in fisheries.
Corruption in fisheries has received relatively little attention compared to other extractive industries- this despite the fact that various types of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, are taking place in the marine waters of many developing countries, leading to overfishing and marine ecosystem destruction. In order to combat corruption and its negative effects, it is imperative to improve access to information. This will strengthen the capacity of civil society, encourage public accountability, and combat corruption in fisheries, particularly in ACP countries.
Small-scale fishing communities generally have little political power, and consequently have insignificant influence in decision making processes. The reason for this de facto exclusion of fishing communities in decision making processes is first and foremost because of the limited levels of mobilisation and organisation in small-scale fisheries. In order to achieve social and economic development and biological sustainability, it is crucial that national and international governing bodies create a conducive environment and provide the means for community members to mobilise and organise themselves.
Develop accurate accounting for depreciation of social and natural capital. A report by the World Bank (Sunken Billions: The Economic Justification for Fisheries Reform) states that half of the global fishing capacity could be scrapped with no effects on total catches. The report also states concern that some fishing nations ”artificially inflate” GDP by depreciating natural capital. In order to change this economic paradigm there must be an accurate accounting of depreciation of natural, and social, capital in all fisheries sectors, so that fleet reductions target those sectors that most inhibit the recovery and appreciation of fish stocks and ecosystems. Where values are uncertain and risk is high, such risks must be priced into production costs.
At a fundamental level, any solutions pursued must be consistent with a human rights-based approach. Domestic and external fisheries policies, as well as development cooperation policies, must meet human rights obligations–civil, political, economic, cultural and social–and must have a special focus on currently disadvantaged populations, in particular small-scale fishing communities and women of these communities.
August 28, 2009
Uncategorized
Comments Off
- In preparation for the Conference on small-scale fisheries, Copenhagen, September 12, 2009
The report Solutions to the Fisheries Crisis can now be downloaded here
August 18, 2009
Uncategorized
Comments Off
ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 - 10:00AM TO 5:00PM
BORUPS HØJSKOLE, FREDERIKSHOLMS KANAL 24, COPENHAGEN
On the one hand, the EU embarks on democratisation around the world and prioritise poverty reduction through Development Cooperation and Trade. On the other hand, the fishery related policies of the EU are also known to counteract these goals by undermining livelihood opportunities and food security outside the EU. This paradox will be debated at the conference. Experiences from Africa and the East will be presented by key speakers and solutions to the challenges will be proposed. Members of the European Parliament will respond and propose How the EU can play a key role in securing fisheries sustainability and social and economic development. CLICK HERE FORE MORE INFORMATION
September 11, 2008
Uncategorized
Comments Off
Onsdag begyndte Fiskerifagligt Netværk deres tur rundt til danske fiskerihavne. På den første dag gik M/S Anton ud fra Skælskør med de ti deltagere ombord. Det var folk fra medlemsorganisationerne plus en enkelt gæst; Naseegh Jaffer fra organisationen Masifundise i Sydafrika. Han kunne under aftenens møde på Omø fortælle de danske kystfiskere om, hvordan de i løbet af nogle få år har fået organiseret over 1300 kystfiskere i en politisk interesseorganisation, og hvordan de som en samlet stemme endelig er blevet hørt af deres regering. Det var et opråb til de danske kystfiskere om at organisere sig. Inden Netværket kom til Omø gik turen forbi Agersø, hvor de få tilbageværende lokale fiskere fortalte om den kamp de kæmper for at få fiskeriet til at løbe rundt.
Netop nu ligger M/S Anton og resten af netværket vest for Langeland, på vej mod Bagenkop
Anton ved kajen, Omø.
Frokost i Agersø Havn.
Fiskeriforeningens lokaler Kirkehavn, Omø.
Debataften med Omøfiskerne.
Naseegh Jaffer taler til fiskerne, Omø.
Før afgang fra Skælskør.
Aftensmaden forberedes - frisk fanget fladfisk fra Agersø
(Opdateret 11/9 kl. 13:54 af Jeppe Høst)
August 21, 2008
Uncategorized
Comments Off
Tirsdag d. 9. september afholder Afrika Kontak et seminar om EU’s fiskeriaftaler med Afrika, og de konsekvenser som aftalerne har for fiskere i Afrika. Læs mere om seminaret her.
Fiskerigruppen i Afrika Kontakt søger en engageret aktivist til at deltage i informations og projekt-arbejde. Læs mere her.
August 1, 2008
PUGAD
No Comments
Af Einer Lyduch
Formand for PUGAD ( People Uniting and Generating Aid for Development )
Skåltalerne har været mange siden verdens statsledere højtideligt vedtog FN’s 2015 mål i år 2000 med konkrete punkter om bl.a. halvering af fattigdommen, fordobling af antallet af børn der modtager folkeskoleundervisning og en forstærket indsats mod hiv/aids, malaria og andre epidemiske sygdomme.
Desværre er virkeligheden en anden, hvor WTO’s forlis om at indgå en global frihandelsaftale betyder, at det bliver endnu sværere at nærme sig FN’s 2015 mål.
DOHA-runden fra november 2001 er betegnet som en udviklingsrunde med fokus på sænkelse af toldtariffer, så de fattige lande kan få lettere markedsadgang for deres landbrugsprodukter i industrilandene og reduktion af i-landenes landbrugsstøtteordninger, så u-landene har en chance for selv at producere fødevarer.
Især USA har stået hårdnakket på, at der kun kan ske ændringer, såfremt u-landene tilsvarende giver indrømmelser til i-landene for deres industriprodukter og fastholdt markedsadgang for dets egne landbrugsprodukter.
Det er valgår i USA i år, der befinder sig i en økonomisk afmatning med de højeste inflationstal i 26 år og trængte bønder og fabrikanter. Derfor bliver det på bekostning af verdens fattigste – og især de afrikanske lande.
Overalt i verden er der tårnhøje benzinpriser og stigende fødevarepriser, men i u-landene udmønter det sig i deciderede voldsomme tilbageslag, der lægger gift for en mulig fremtidig økonomisk fremgang.
En af forhindringerne for en aftale var de såkaldte SSM ( special safeguard mechanisms ), hvor u-landene ønsker beskyttelsesmekanismer over for prischok på verdensmarkedet.
I Filippinerne har man i årevis importeret løg, hvidløg, frugt, fisk, okse- og svinekød og fjerkræ fordi i-landenes subsidierede fødevarer er billigere end lokalt producerede varer. Her er der for alvor benzinkrise (en liter benzin koster 64 pesos, svarende til 6,5 kr., og bruttonationalproduktet pr. indb. er ca. 14.000 kr.). Det betyder, at produktionen ligger stille mange steder, og de seneste års positive økonomiske vækst forvandles til negativ vækstrate.
Ligeledes medfører fødevarekrisen, at regeringen importerer ris til 33 pesos pr. kg. og sælger det til 15 pesos til de allerfattigste, og dermed brugers milliarder af pesos, der kunne være investeret i uddannelse, sociale projekter og infrastruktur. Det betyder også, at mange lande må starte forfra med udviklingsplaner. I Filippinerne viser de seneste undersøgelser, at under 79 procent af årgangene går i 1.-5. klasse, at under 59 procent går i 6.-7. klasse og under 50 procent går i high school – det vil tage generationer at komme over dette.
Derfor diskuteres fødevaresikkerhed i mange u-lande i dag, men det kræver planlægning og tager tid. Der skal repareres nedslidte overrislingsanlæg, bygges veje mellem producenter og foderstofkompagnier, bygges moderne siloer til afgrødernes opbevaring og nye såsæd typer skal tages i anvendelse for at forøge udbyttet pr. ha.. Derfor ønsker u-landene beskyttelse mod prischok.
Et andet aspekt er, at mange lande indgår bilaterale aftaler, f.eks. har Japan og Filippinerne lige indgået en aftale om økonomisk partnerskab – en i øvrigt meget kontroversiel aftale, der holdes hemmelig for offentligheden, og der er forlydender om at Japan kan dumpe kemikalier, giftigt affald mv. for den svageste part kan ikke sige nej – alternativet er at være udelukket fra markederne. Ligeledes arbejdes der på en aftale mellem Kina og Japan, men de allerfattigste lande vil blive ladt i stikken uden udsigt til en bedre fremtid – er det virkelig perspektivet for en mere fair og retfærdig verdensorden? Dertil kommer, at sammenbruddet lægger gift for fremtidige forpligtende internationale aftaler ( klima, energi, menneskerettighedsovergreb o.a. ).
Endnu engang viser det sig, at i-landene er gode til skåltaler, men elendige til at gøre noget ved verdens tilstand.
Einer Lyduch
Formand for PUGAD ( People Uniting and Generating Aid for Development )
Corneliusmindevej 8
2770 Kastrup
27 59 59 00
July 29, 2008
Uncategorized
Comments Off
Lørdag d. 13. september afholder Landsorganisationen Levende Hav workshop med titlen: Situationen for fiskersamfund i den 3. verden og udviklingsperspektiver i lyset af klimaændringerne.
Workshoppen, som danner afslutning på et 4-dages kursus for aktive i Fiskerifagligt Netværk, vil forløbe over det meste af lørdagen med en række interessante oplægsholdere. Eva Munk-Madsen, forsker på RUC, vil tale om kvinders stillinger og muligheder i kystfiskeri, og Knud Vilby om erfaringer med udviklingsarbejde i Syd. Der vil blive talt om resursekonflikter mellem kystfiskere og det storkommercielle fiskeri ved Naseegh Jaffer (Direktør for den sydafrikanske NGO, Masifundise), og klimaændringerne sættes på dagsordenen ved Zhanna Tairov, PhD-studerende ved DMU. Fuldt program for workshoppen kan læses her.
Der er plads til omkring 50 deltagere på workshoppen, og de fleste af disse er allerede besat.
Få mere information om workshoppen ved at kontakte Levende Hav
June 7, 2008
Uncategorized
No Comments
The traditional scale fishing sector in South Africa represents a potential for economic, social and environmental development that unfortunately seems to be largely unexploited. It is also a sector that has faced obstructions by the fishery legislation of the last decade, and as a result the scale fishers have been left high and dry without opportunities for development.
Having worked with scale fisheries all over the world, we, representatives of four Danish organisations currently visiting South Africa, see enormous opportunities for significant improvements in the scale fishing sector and in the traditional fishing communities along the coast line. This not only relates to the improvement of livelihoods through legal recognition of the traditional fishers, but also to the valuable contribution to economic development that the fishers could make as players on the market. Furthermore, the cultural, and traditional characteristics of the traditional fishing communities are assets that hold enormous potential, not least for the tourism industry, and should be treated as such.
In countries like Angola and Mozambique, governments already have specialised departments for the management of the scale fisheries. In these countries, it is acknowledged that the scale sector provides livelihoods opportunities and economic development in the coastal communities. In Angola, for example, the government has implemented subsidy schemes for the scale sector, in order to improve food security and social coherence in the rural fishing communities. As such the fishing communities are treated as a resource instead of being marginalised and thus turned into a burden for the broader society.
When compared to the scale fisheries in other African countries and further abroad there is another striking feature that has been left more or less untouched. In general, the scale fisheries hold a competitive advantage over their industrial counterparts. This advantage is closely related to the eco-friendly nature of the scale fisheries, which provide the fish products with an added market value. scale fisheries are characterised by having no or very limited by-catch because of the use of very selective fishing gear. In this eco-friendly fishery, fish and other marine animals that are either undersized or on the list of endangered species can be released immediately and survive. By looking globally at fisheries, it is more than evident that the large-scale fishing industry is busy depleting the fish stocks-, and South Africa is no exemption. Valid explanations for this unfortunate course, certainly include the use of destructive fishing gear, high levels of by-catch and high-grading (throwing low value fish overboard), and expansion of the fishing fleets.
The added market value of fish products from the eco-friendly fisheries provides maybe the biggest opportunity for the scale sector. In South Africa as elsewhere in the world, the demand for eco-friendly products is steadily on the rise. Supermarket chains in several European countries have declared that they will only sell fish from eco-friendly fisheries in the near future, and in South Africa supermarkets, including Woolworth, seems to be moving in the same direction. One of the best examples of the added value of eco-friendly fish products is the UK based company, Fish 4 Ever, that sells a can of 120 grams of eco friendly Tuna for R50.00 as opposed to a conventional product that sells for approximately R7.
The added value is also attached to the social and cultural importance of the scale fishing sector. Increasing consumer awareness at the global level – e.g. in the EU, Brazil, Japan, and North America – is leading to higher demands for ethical products, and we have reasons to believe that the same trend is happening in South Africa. Based on these consumer trends, we are convinced that fish caught by traditional scale fishers, can be sold at a higher price, thereby assuring fishers of a decent payment. It is therefore encouraging to witness that a group of traditional fishers, with support from the Cederberg Municipality, is successfully establishing a locally based fish marketing company, which adheres to ethical values and sells fish caught by traditional scale fishers exclusively.
Not with standing the smelly part of a local fishery, the scale sector is also of great value to the tourist industry – a value that is only partially utilised. Tourist brochures and websites advertising for relaxing weekends and holidays along the coast line, are packed with colourful pictures of traditional fishers bringing today’s catch home. However, this potential could be explored much further. Many tourists have already seen the big five and are eager for different adventures, and this is exactly where the traditional fishers have something to offer. The future attractions could very well be a short fishing trip with a local traditional fisher, or the community’s catch of the day served at the harbour restaurant – instead of what today often consists of frozen fish caught by trawlers or purse seiners because the local fishers do not have the right to fish and sell their products as they choose. Tourists also look for cultural visits to fishing communities where they can engage in the traditional fishing craftmanship.
After visiting nine fishing communities in the Western Cape, we are disappointed to witness that the economic, social and environmental potential of the traditional scale fishing sector remains largely unexploited. It is quite frankly disturbing that almost 15 years after the abolishment of apartheid, South Africa has not yet managed to recognize and give real content to the rights of the traditional scale fishers, who are in many cases meaninglessly marginalized and even criminalized. Close to one thousand traditional fishers in the Western Cape today fish with an interim permit – a permit that expires on 15 April, after which the destiny of the fishers once again is uncertain. We have also heard that many traditional fishers in Eastern Cape do not even have an identity document, and thus cannot obtain any fishing permit. Similarly worrying is the situation in KwaZulu Natal, where the so called subsistence fishers are denied the right to sell their catches – on what government call a “commercial basis” - and thus they cannot gain an income to pay for school fees, medicine and so forth.
What seems like a crisis in fisheries management, in South Africa as elsewhere, is a clear result of decades of failures to manage fisheries sustainably. . Fish stocks have been declining, in many fisheries to levels where fishing is no longer a viable business, and marine habitats have been destroyed. A new management attempt to address this crisis, is the implementation of zones where fishing is not allowed, the popular Marine Protected Areas. In the January/Februry edition of the magazine Maritime Southern Africa, the head of Marine and Coastal Management writes that purse seine fishing is banned in a zone around Dassen island, in order to allow fish stock to recover and thereby improve conditions for the African penguins. Elsewhere along the coast, numerous Marine Protected Areas have been implemented over the years, and more are in the pipeline. The irony hereof is that MPA’s do not address the underlying cause of the crisis. MPA’s might be free from small and large fishing vessels – if it wasn’t for fishers being forced to sea in a desperate fight for food on the table - but the large scale fishing industry slowly and steadily continues business as usual.
Fortunately, our two week tour along the Western Cape coastline has also made us believe in a brighter future for fishing communities and the marine environment. Endless conversations with members of Coastal Links – a fishers movement in the Western Cape – has convinced us that the fishers themselves are in a process of bringing the value of the small scale fishing sector to the fore. Years of lobbying has paid out to the fishers in the form of an interim relief permit and a forthcoming fishing policy for the small scale sector. We believe that Coastal Links also holds the potential to brand the traditional small scale fishing sector for what it is: An eco-friendly fishery with no or very low levels of by-catch and with a prosperous culture we would love to visit again very soon.
