Alabama Marine Resources Division proposes new shrimp fishery management plan, raising questions from local shrimpers – fox10tv.com

Report on Alabama’s Shrimp Fishery Management Plan and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The Alabama Marine Resources Division, a sector of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), is formulating a new management plan for the state’s shrimp fishery. This action is a direct response to a notice of nonconformance with fishery manager procedures received in early 2024, which has impeded the state’s ability to secure a Responsible Fishery Management (RFM) certification. The development of this plan is critical for demonstrating a commitment to long-term sustainable resource management, directly aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Alignment with SDG 14: Life Below Water

The primary objective of the new management plan is to achieve RFM certification, which serves as a testament to the sustainable management of marine ecosystems. This initiative is central to fulfilling the targets of SDG 14.

• Sustainable Resource Management: The plan is designed to serve as a guiding document for the sustainable, long-term management of Alabama’s shrimp resources, directly contributing to SDG Target 14.4, which aims to effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing.
• Certification as a Benchmark: Achieving RFM certification validates that the fishery operates according to established sustainability principles, ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

Socio-Economic Considerations and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

While the plan focuses on environmental sustainability, significant concerns have been raised by local shrimpers regarding its economic implications. These concerns highlight the need to integrate the principles of SDG 8 to ensure the plan supports local livelihoods and promotes inclusive economic growth.

Key Stakeholder Concerns

• Economic Viability: Shrimpers have expressed frustration over a perceived lack of clarity on how the plan will protect their economic interests and ensure decent work.
• Market Competition: A primary worry is the impact of inexpensive international shrimp imports, which drive down domestic prices and threaten the livelihoods of local fishers. This directly challenges the objectives of SDG 8 by undermining local economic stability.
• Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12): Concerns were noted regarding the lower regulatory standards, including FDA oversight, for imported shrimp compared to domestic products. This disparity affects fair competition and raises questions about promoting sustainable consumption patterns.

Stakeholder Engagement and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

In alignment with SDG 17, which promotes partnerships to achieve sustainable goals, the ADCNR is actively seeking public input through a series of listening sessions. This process is essential for creating an inclusive and effective management plan.

1. A public listening session was held in Bayou La Batre to gather initial feedback from the shrimping industry and other interested parties.
2. A subsequent session is scheduled to ensure broad participation and incorporate diverse perspectives into the final plan.

Scheduled Public Consultation

• Date: November 13th
• Location: Gulf Shores Activity Center, Gulf Shores
• Time: 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The successful implementation of the new management plan will depend on its ability to balance the environmental objectives of SDG 14 with the critical economic and social needs outlined in SDG 8, achieved through the collaborative process championed by SDG 17.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on Alabama’s shrimp fishery management plan connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing environmental sustainability, economic viability, and responsible production.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The core issue is the development of a “new management plan for the state’s shrimp fishery” with the explicit aim of ensuring that “Alabama’s valuable shrimp resources are managed sustainably for the long term.” The pursuit of a “responsible fishery management (RFM) certification” directly aligns with the goal of conserving and sustainably using marine resources.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article highlights the economic concerns of local shrimpers. They express “frustration over a perceived lack of clarity regarding how this new management plan will address the economic challenges they face.” Their worries about the “protection of domestic shrimp prices” and the impact of “cheap overseas shrimp” driving down local prices directly relate to the goal of sustaining livelihoods and ensuring the economic viability of their industry, which is a key component of decent work and local economic growth.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is connected through the effort to establish sustainable production patterns in the shrimp industry. The state’s attempt to “prove sustainable management practices to receive the RFM certification” is a direct effort to formalize and verify responsible production. Furthermore, the shrimpers’ comments about restaurants opting for “cheaper imports, despite concerns about the conditions under which the shrimp are harvested” touch upon the consumption side of this goal, contrasting certified, regulated domestic products with potentially less sustainable imported ones.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 14.4 (under SDG 14): “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…”

   The entire initiative described in the article—developing a “new management plan” and seeking an “RFM certification”—is a direct effort to implement a science-based management plan to regulate harvesting and prove sustainability, which is the essence of this target.

2. Target 14.b (under SDG 14): “Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.”

   The local shrimpers represent small-scale fishers. Their primary concern about the “impact of international shrimp imports” and the need for “protection of domestic shrimp prices” is fundamentally an issue of maintaining their access to a viable market. They fear being priced out, which would deny them effective market access.

3. Target 8.5 (under SDG 8): “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all…”

   The shrimpers’ fear that the new plan may not “adequately safeguard their industry” speaks directly to this target. Their livelihood and work are threatened by economic pressures. A successful management plan, from their perspective, must ensure their work remains productive and economically sustainable.

4. Target 12.2 (under SDG 12): “By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.”

   The article’s central theme is the Alabama Marine Resources Division’s effort to create a “comprehensive plan” that will serve as a “guiding document for how Alabama manages its shrimp fishery.” This is a clear action towards achieving the sustainable management of a specific natural resource, as called for in this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several practical measures for tracking progress:

• Indicator for Target 14.4 & 12.2: The primary indicator is the successful development, adoption, and implementation of the new fishery management plan. A more concrete, external validation mentioned is the achievement of the Responsible Fishery Management (RFM) certification. Receiving this certification would serve as a clear indicator that sustainable management practices are in place.
• Indicator for Target 14.b & 8.5: An implied indicator is the economic health and stability of the local shrimping industry. This could be measured by tracking domestic shrimp prices relative to import prices, the market share of Alabama shrimp in local and regional markets, and the number of active, economically viable shrimping operations in the state. The shrimpers’ call for the “protection of domestic shrimp prices” makes this a key metric of success for them.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fox10tv.com