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The Sustainable Fisheries Program
The Problem
The future of native fish populations, as well as the livelihood of those fishing men and women who depend on them, is in jeopardy.
Unless natural resources are protected and restored, and fish stocks are rebuilt and harvested in a sustainable manner, these ecological and economical consequences will become permanent. Strong fish resource management regulations are required to ensure a sustainable future. However, until recently, legislation was often drafted and instituted with little or no input from those people it affects most - the fishing community itself. By organizing and advocating for the commercial fishing industry, IFR is working to reinforce essential conservation campaigns while providing for a sound and sustainable economy.
The Solution
IFR, through its Sustainable Fisheries Program, is working to involve fishery stakeholders in the processes that regulate fisheries at the state, federal, and international levels. Toward this end, IFR employs a dedicated project organizer to provide support for working fishing men and women who wish to participate in the implementation of fisheries regulations and the development of fisheries policy. IFR also serves as a networking center to enable fishermen to collaborate with a range of interest groups including scientists, consumers, and policy makers.
The Sustainable Fisheries Program accomplishments include:
- Improved involvement of the fishing community.
Since 2000, IFR organizers have disseminated information to fishing communities in an effort to better incorporate their expertise into fishery management processes such as two recent California state statutes: The Marine Life Management Act (MLMA), aimed at establishing fishery management plans over state-regulated fisheries; and The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), designed to establish a state program of marine protected areas (MPAs). IFR also assists fishermen in being more involved with the implementation of the federal Magnuson-Stevens Act. The program has been successful in establishing fishing men and women as critical participants in many of these legislative efforts.
- Better understanding of socioeconomic challenges.
IFR, in collaboration with the University of California and Environmental Defense, is conducting a socioeconomic study of fishery issues in the San Francisco region. The purpose of the study is to explore ways fishermen's knowledge can be included in the policy process - particularly the current MLPA process. By promoting collaboration among scientists, government agencies, and the fishing community, this study will help provide a more complete assessment of the challenges affecting marine life management and protection.
- Fostering fishermen and scientist cooperative research programs.
IFR is currently expanding a program to increase fishermen and scientist collaborations on research that affects policy decisions. IFR works to help fishermen participate in research projects providing multiple benefits to fishermen and scientists. Fishermen have a great deal of knowledge about marine environments and the fish that live in them. For example, IFR is currently working with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to connect salmon fishermen with researchers who are tagging salmon with devices that will measure temperatures and depth.
- Greater global advocacy.
IFR recently produced a report entitled, "The World Trade Organization and Sustainable Fisheries," which analyzed the impact of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and globalization on fisheries conservation. Reports like this one help educate commercial fishermen on decisions and events that will dramatically affect the way we protect and promote sustainable fisheries around the world.
- Increased participation in coalitions and partnerships.
IFR is a member of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, a nationwide coalition of like-minded organizations who study the ongoing effects of the nation's primary fishery statute, The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. IFR also participates in the World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fishworkers, an organization composed of fishing men and women worldwide committed to sustainable fishing practices and the protection of fishing communities.
The future of sustainable fisheries
IFR's continues to facilitate meetings with local fishermen and educate these groups on current fishery management policies and regulations. At IFR, we are committed to involving these communities in the legislative process. Thanks, in part, to our work, the state has decided to extend the implementation date for the MLPA until 2003 to better involve fishing men and women in the development of MPAs. IFR plans to leverage these initial successes to achieve several additional goals, including:
- Advocating for the inclusion of the fishing community in new regulations for sustainable fishing practices
- Educating fishing men and women on fishery management issues
- Exploring new ways to systemize the inclusion of fishermen's knowledge into the policy process
- Growing IFR influence through strategic partnerships with other conservation and fishery groups
If you would like to learn more about how you can support IFR and the Sustainable Fisheries Program, please click here to visit Support IFR, or TAKE ACTION!.
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