Socio-economic impacts of fisheries nets $9.4bn - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet:

The latest report from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has revealed the considerable extent to which Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries contribute to regional economies by generating direct revenues, driving wider spending, and providing crucial jobs.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that the State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries (SoMFi 2020), recently released showed an overall annual economic value of fisheries in the region is estimated at $9.4 billion.
Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries provide 225 000 onboard jobs and are estimated to contribute livelihoods to a total of 785 000 people. In parts of some countries including Tunisia, Croatia, and Morocco, close to one in every 100 coastal residents is a fisher.

While small-scale fisheries make up most of the industry representing the overwhelming majority of fishing vessels (83 percent) and fishing-based jobs (57 percent) in the region, their share of the region's total catch is only 15 percent.

Small-scale fishers generate less than 30 percent of total fisheries revenue, have uncertain livelihoods, and are most vulnerable to unforeseen problems or crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. They need more state support and a stronger social protection framework including access to unemployment insurance, the report says. 

The report also offers valuable insights into the state of current workforce in fisheries in the region. The sector is rapidly aging: almost half of workers are over 40 and only 17 percent are under 25 - a situation requiring proactive measures in order to ensure that a skilled workforce remains available.

In addition, the report highlights that building the resilience of fisheries will be evermore critical in the face of increasing pressure on the marine environment from climate change and human activities. The new publication serves as a valuable tool to guide action towards the sustainable future.

In furtherance, NaijaAgroNet, recalls that last November, ministers from the region reiterated their political commitment to achieving the objectives of the MedFish4Ever and Sofia Declaration to pursue an even higher level of ambition within the future GFCM Strategy (2021-2025) and to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14.

Some notable successes have been achieved now that national and regional management measures have had time to take effect. Ten multiannual fisheries management plans are now in place, involving more than 4 000 fishing vessels.

Isaac Oyimah/Editor