Coastal Indian Ocean countries rely heavily on fisheries related activities in the Indian Ocean waters in order to provide employment and supply their populations with fish, and also for export. The reliance of fish, not only for food but also for income, is a characteristic of all the IORA Member States. This dual responsibility of ensuring food security, as well as economic security resting on the existing fish stocks of the Indian Ocean waters press for immediate attention to be given to a sustainable conservation, management, development and utilization of the India Ocean fisheries resources. In general, the IORA Member States have different capabilities in terms of fisheries management, including fishing technologies, processing, marketing, Monitoring Control and Surveillance and related skills in the fishing industry in general.
However, the main challenges would be for all IORA Member Stars to agree on joint strategies and actions that would help to control overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, prevent environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity and ensure long term socio-economic benefits to the fishing communities within IOTRA Member States. Therefore, concerted effort and actions by all IORA Member States would therefore be a more effective means to address these challenges.
The objectives of the workshop are:
1. To discuss the importance of developing coastal, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) /deep sea and high seas fishing activities as a way of increasing employment opportunities, income and enhancing food security to IORA Member countries;
2. To increase awareness by sharing of knowledge and information regarding fisheries conservation, management, development and rational utilization of fisheries resources in the coastal, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)/ deep sea and high seas waters in IORA Member States;
3. To discuss and identify gaps on sustainable conservation, management and utilization of coastal, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)/ deep sea and high seas fisheries resources and agree on the ways of bridging capacity gaps particularly on combating IUU fishing and research;
4. To discuss the roles of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations with regard to ongoing efforts by IORA Member States to implement Fisheries Management activities through the Fisheries Support Unit (FSU);
5. To identify and prioritize projects and Development Partners that can be approached to provide both financial and technical support; and
6. To prepare a detailed action plan and expected outcome from the proposed projects
Follow-up action:
The workshop would result in recommendations from which further projects could be formulated to address the issues of sustainable management and development of fisheries resources in the Indian Ocean rim region. In addition, the formulation of a detailed action plan would guide IORA Member States on the wayforward for sustainable fisheries management and development.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
Staff / Technical expertise
21 delegates from IORA Member States would be funded to attend the workshop
Financing (in USD)
60,000 USD
Staff / Technical expertise
Staffs from the IORA Secretariat will be mobilised to assist in the implementation of the project and to organise the workshop
In-kind contribution
The host country will provide in kind contribution such as transportation
2018 - 2020
Tanzania
