Participatory planning and implementation are crucial to protect fisheries resources and ensuring food security – thefinancetoday.net

Report on International Fisheries Day 2025 Observance in Cox’s Bazar

Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

On 21 November, the COAST Foundation observed International Fisheries Day 2025 in Cox’s Bazar, focusing on the theme “Sustainable Fisheries for Prosperity-Protect Aquatic Ecosystems and Conserve Fisheries Resources.” The event’s objectives and discussions directly supported the implementation of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a primary emphasis on SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 1 (No Poverty), and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Key Activities and Stakeholder Participation

The observance involved a multi-stakeholder approach, reflecting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and included government officials, local community leaders, and fisher representatives. A notable aspect was the active participation of 55 women from small-scale fisher communities, highlighting a commitment to SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Activities included:

• An awareness-raising rally inaugurated by the Senior Fisheries Officer of Cox’s Bazar.
• A panel discussion titled “Management and Biodiversity of Open Water Bodies in Bangladesh: Current Status and Challenges.”

Core Discussion Themes and SDG Linkages

The panel discussion and keynote presentation underscored the interconnectedness of sustainable fisheries with broader development objectives. Key themes included:

1. Participatory Governance for Poverty Alleviation: Guests emphasized that inclusive decision-making processes are essential for sustaining the livelihoods of small-scale fishers. This approach is critical for achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by empowering marginalized communities.
2. Economic Resilience and Livelihood Diversification: The necessity of creating alternative income opportunities, supported by access to finance and training, was highlighted as a crucial measure. This strategy directly contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by enabling fishers to build resilient livelihoods not solely dependent on a single occupation.
3. Food Security and Resource Management: The keynote paper stressed the importance of maintaining natural river flows and implementing proper management plans for open water bodies. These actions are fundamental to increasing fish production and strengthening food security, aligning with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and the resource conservation targets of SDG 14.
4. Ecosystem and Biodiversity Conservation: A significant focus was placed on protecting aquatic ecosystems. This includes policy actions to address pollution, legal measures to ensure the breeding of native fish species, and protecting local water bodies from the impacts of commercial aquaculture and dredging, all of which are central to achieving SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Recommendations for Sustainable Fisheries Governance

Participants concluded that the observance must lead to tangible actions and strengthened advocacy for sustainable governance, in line with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The following policy and legal actions were called for:

• Development and enforcement of policies to address pollution and protect open water bodies.
• Implementation of legal measures to safeguard and promote the breeding of native fish species in rivers, canals, and other open water ecosystems.
• Active protection of local ecosystems from the negative impacts of commercial aquaculture, eco-tourism, and dredging.
• A commitment to translate discussions into local-level practices and communicate demands to policymakers to ensure the long-term sustainability of fisheries resources.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article directly addresses poverty reduction among small-scale fishers. It highlights that “inclusive decision-making processes are essential for poverty reduction and sustaining the livelihoods of small-scale fishers” and suggests creating “alternative income opportunities” to enable them to “diversify their income sources instead of depending on a single occupation.”

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The connection to food security is explicitly mentioned. The keynote paper emphasized the importance of proper management of open water bodies “to increase fish production and strengthen food security.” This links the health of fisheries directly to the availability of food.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article highlights the active participation of women in the fisheries sector. It mentions the presence of a “women fisher leader” and notes that “A total of 55 women from small-scale fisher communities… participated in the rally and the discussion session,” and that “Women leaders demanded active protection of local ecosystems.” This points to the empowerment and involvement of women in decision-making processes.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article discusses economic diversification for fishers. It points out that providing “access to finance, training, and business development” is crucial for creating alternative income opportunities, which contributes to more stable and diverse local economies and decent work.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the central theme of the article. The event’s theme itself was “Sustainable Fisheries for Prosperity-Protect Aquatic Ecosystems and Conserve Fisheries Resources.” The discussion covers protecting open water bodies from pollution, conserving native fish species, and safeguarding ecosystems from commercial aquaculture and dredging, all of which are core components of SDG 14.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article emphasizes the need for better governance and inclusive institutions. It calls for “participatory planning and implementation,” “inclusive decision-making processes,” and the need to “communicate these demands to policymakers and further strengthen advocacy for sustainable fisheries governance.” This reflects the goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.

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

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  • Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources. The article’s focus on providing fishers with “access to finance, training, and business development” to create “alternative income opportunities” directly supports this target.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The goal to “increase fish production and strengthen food security” aligns with ensuring a sufficient food supply from aquatic resources.
  • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems. The article’s theme, “Sustainable Fisheries for Prosperity,” and its call for proper management of open water bodies directly relate to creating sustainable systems for fish production.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making. The active participation of “55 women from small-scale fisher communities” and the demands made by “Women leaders” exemplify efforts towards achieving this target within the local fisheries governance structure.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men. The push for diversifying income sources for fishers beyond a single occupation contributes to more resilient and productive employment.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  • Target 14.1: By 2030, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds. The Chief Guest’s highlight on the “need for policy actions to address pollution and protect open water bodies” directly corresponds to this target.
  • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems. The call to “Protect Aquatic Ecosystems” and the demand from women leaders to protect local ecosystems from “commercial aquaculture, eco-tourism and dredging” align with this target.
  • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing… to restore fish stocks. The call for “legal measures to ensure the breeding of native fish species” and the overall goal to “Conserve Fisheries Resources” support the restoration and sustainable management of fish stocks.
  • Target 14.b: Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets. The entire event, focused on the “Survival of Small-Scale Fishers” and sustaining their livelihoods, is central to this target.

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

• For Target 1.4 & 8.5:

  • Implied Indicator: The number or proportion of small-scale fishers who have received training, access to finance, or business development support. The article mentions these as crucial measures, implying their implementation and uptake could be tracked.
  • Implied Indicator: The percentage of fishing households with diversified income sources. The goal is to reduce dependency on a single occupation, so measuring this diversification would indicate progress.

• For Target 2.1 & 2.4:

  • Implied Indicator: Volume of fish production from open water bodies. The article mentions the goal to “increase fish production,” which is a direct quantitative measure.
  • Implied Indicator: Prevalence of food insecurity within the local fisher communities. Progress would be measured by a reduction in food insecurity.

• For Target 5.5:

  • Mentioned Indicator: The number of women participating in community discussions and decision-making forums. The article explicitly states, “A total of 55 women from small-scale fisher communities… participated,” providing a direct numerical indicator for this specific event.

• For Target 14.1, 14.2 & 14.4:

  • Implied Indicator: The number of policies or legal measures enacted to address pollution and protect ecosystems. The call for “policy actions” and “legal measures” implies that the creation and implementation of such frameworks are key progress markers.
  • Implied Indicator: Status of native fish stocks. The goal to ensure the “breeding of native fish species” suggests that monitoring the population health of these species would be a relevant indicator.
  • Implied Indicator: Area of local ecosystems under protective management from threats like unregulated commercial aquaculture and dredging. The demand to protect these areas implies that the extent of protected zones could be measured.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: thefinancetoday.net