Fishing For Coherence

At a time when millions of people in developing countries depend of fisheries for their livelihoods and nutrition and with most fisheries being over or fully exploited, this book examines the interface between development and fisheries policy.

Provides an analytical framework adapted to the West African context, as well as an action framework based on the facts and realities in the field in order to improve the coherence of fisheries policies in West Africa.

This publication is a compilation of papers and records of the Workshop on Policy Coherence for Development in Fisheries, hosted by the OECD's Committee for Fisheries and Development Assistance Committee in April 2006.

This publication sets out the proceedings of a workshop, hosted by the OECD's Committee for Fisheries and Development Assistance Committee and held in Paris in April 2006, to discuss policy coherence for development in fisheries. Policy coherence relates to the application of mutually reinforcing policies across government departments to achieve objectives consistent with internationally agreed development goals. The study focuses on the fisheries sector because it is central for poverty reduction strategies in many developing countries, mutually supportive policies by OECD and non-OECD countries are urgently needed to protect vital marine fisheries resources and in order to promote sustainable development.

This overview of globalisation in fisheries and aquaculture finds that global markets for fish and fish products have changed considerably over the past few decades and continue to do so, but that countries must work harder on fisheries and aquaculture management to remain sustainable.

At a global level there is increasing recognition of the role that fisheries policies and social protection can jointly play in combating poverty and hunger, whilst simultaneously promoting sustainable natural resources management. Efforts are being made at the country level to bring together these two domains, but more needs to be done. For fisheries-dependent communities, the full range of benefits derived from greater coherence between fisheries policies and social protection is not yet widely understood; nor are the means through which improved coherence can be promoted. This Framework for analysis and action seeks to fill these knowledge gaps. By drawing from concrete country experiences, the Framework for analysis and action clarifies the benefits of strengthening coherence between fisheries policies and social protection, and identifies options for achieving improved coherence through policy and programming.

With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, all nations committed to a set of universal, integrated and transformational goals and targets, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Translating the new vision of the SDGs into action is a major challenge.

This book uses the expertise of the OECD to assess issues in the fisheries industry, and describes the challenges facing those who work in the industry.