Fisheries in the Post-2020 GBF: Where and how do they fit?
This side event will look at where and how fisheries can fit in the Post-2020 GBF to meaningfully contribute to the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity. Furthermore, it will shed some initial light on the challenge of fisheries reporting against the Post-2020 Targets.
Photo: Local community fishing at Tonle Sap Lake. © IUCN/Noor Ali
Fisheries can actively contribute to the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity, while tackling food security and supporting climate adaptation and mitigation measures. With the right measures and objectives in place, fisheries can positively contribute to the environmental, social, economic and cultural dimensions of sustainable development and play an important role in the achievement of the SDGs. However, the 2022 Report on the State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture outlines a decrease to 64.6% of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels – an alarming figure highlighting the urgency to further increase actions towards effective fisheries management.
In this regard, biodiversity mainstreaming and the ecosystem-based approach are key enablers to unleash the full potential of fisheries in ensuring healthy marine ecosystems. Fisheries-related Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) can also offer an interesting opportunity to recognize the meaningful contribution of fisheries to biodiversity conservation. However, how the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework can enable fisheries to play their part remains unclear. This side event looks at where and how fisheries can fit in the Post-2020 GBF to meaningfully contribute to the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity. Furthermore, it will shed some initial light on the challenge of fisheries reporting against the Post-2020 Targets.
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