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REPORT BY FISHMIP

17th July, 2024

REPORT BY FISHMIP

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/new-global-fisheries-management-body-s-first-meeting-focuses-on-sustainable-practices-and-promoting-biodiversity/en

Context: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released a new report on climate change risks to marine ecosystems and fisheries that provides a detailed projection of how global warming scenarios will impact exploitable fish biomass across different regions by the end of the century.

Key Highlights of the Report

Global Projections of Fish Biomass Decline

High-Emissions Scenario: By mid-century, global projections indicate declines of more than 10% in fish biomass across many regions. By the end of the century, these declines worsened significantly, reaching 30% or more in 48 countries and territories. This scenario assumes global warming of 3–4.0 °C.

Low-Emissions Scenario: Under a more moderate global warming scenario of 1.5–2 °C, changes in fish biomass stabilize, showing either no change or a decrease of 10% or less across 178 countries and territories by the end of the century.

Impact on Top Fish Producer Nations

Countries heavily reliant on fisheries, such as Peru and China, face notable declines in their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) under the high-emissions scenario. For instance, Peru’s EEZ could see a decline of 37.3%, and China’s by 30.9%. These declines stabilize under the low-emissions scenario.

Regional Variability

Small Island Developing States (SIDS): These regions, which depend significantly on fisheries for food security and income, are particularly vulnerable. The low-emissions scenario could mitigate extreme losses projected under high emissions by 68–90% in Pacific Island States like the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.

Methodology and Research Framework

The report is based on the findings of the Fisheries and Marine Ecosystem Model Intercomparison Project (FishMIP), a global initiative involving state-of-the-art numerical models.

FishMIP aims to provide policymakers with reliable projections on the long-term impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and fisheries.

Policy Recommendations

Climate Change Mitigation: Lowering emissions significantly reduces end-of-century biomass losses across most countries and territories compared to high emissions scenarios. This highlights the importance of climate change mitigation measures in safeguarding fisheries and aquatic food systems.

Adaptation Strategies: The report emphasizes the need for adaptive fisheries management and broader agrifood policies that integrate marine resource management with freshwater and terrestrial systems.

FAO’s Blue Transformation Vision: To achieve more resilient and sustainable aquatic food systems, FAO advocates for holistic management of marine natural resources, aligned with the FAO Strategy on Climate Change and its Action Plan.

Future Directions

FishMIP2.0: Launched in 2024, FishMIP2.0 aims to enhance the reliability of model projections and address a wider range of policy-related questions relevant to food security and marine resource management under climate change.

Fisheries and Marine Ecosystem Model Intercomparison Project (FishMIP)

  • It is an international initiative launched in 2013, aimed at understanding and predicting the long-term impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and fisheries.

Key Aspects of FishMIP

  • Purpose and Goals: FishMIP was established to provide critical knowledge to industry, governments, and policymakers. Its primary goal is to support effective planning for adaptive and resilient seafood sectors in the face of climate change.
  • Collaboration with FAO: FishMIP collaborates closely with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Together, they utilize state-of-the-art numerical models to assess how climate change affects marine ecosystems and fisheries worldwide.
  • Global Network of Experts: The initiative boasts a network of over 100 marine ecosystem modellers and researchers from various countries. This diverse expertise ensures comprehensive coverage of different regions and ecosystems, enhancing the robustness of their findings and projections.
  • Evolution to FishMIP2.0: In 2024, FishMIP evolved to FishMIP2.0. This upgrade aimed to enhance the reliability of modelling projections further. It also expanded its scope to address a broader array of policy-related questions relevant to global food security and the management of marine resources.
  • Focus on Climate Change: Climate change has remained the central theme of FishMIP. The project continues to investigate how different climate scenarios impact marine biodiversity, fish stocks, and the overall health of marine ecosystems.

Contributions and Impact

  • Policy Guidance: The outputs from FishMIP provide crucial guidance for policymakers in formulating adaptive strategies. This includes policies aimed at sustainable fisheries management, conservation efforts, and integrating climate resilience into seafood sectors.
  • Industry Support: By providing industry stakeholders with reliable projections and assessments, FishMIP helps anticipate future challenges and opportunities in the seafood sector under varying climate conditions.
  • Global Relevance: The initiative’s global reach ensures that insights and recommendations are applicable across different regions and marine environments, supporting global efforts towards sustainable development goals related to oceans and biodiversity.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

  • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations was founded on 16 October 1945.
  • It is a specialized agency dedicated to addressing global issues related to food security, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and natural resources.
  • The FAO Headquarters is located in Rome (Italy).

Mandate and Goals

Mission: The FAO leads international efforts to combat hunger, improve nutrition, and achieve food security for all. Its Latin motto, "fiat panis," translates to "let there be bread," encapsulating its mission to ensure regular access to high-quality food for everyone to lead healthy lives.

Member Countries: The FAO comprises 195 member countries, including 194 countries and the European Union. This global membership highlights its mandate to work collaboratively across borders to address food and agricultural challenges.

Headquarters: Located in Rome, Italy, the FAO operates from its headquarters and maintains regional and field offices worldwide. This extensive network allows it to provide technical assistance, conduct research, and coordinate development projects in over 130 countries.

Structure and Governance

Governance: The FAO is governed by a biennial conference where each member country and the European Union are represented. This conference sets policies, reviews activities, and establishes budgets for the organization.

Director-General: The Director-General serves as the chief administrative officer, responsible for implementing the policies and programs approved by the conference and council.

Departments: The FAO operates through eight main departments, each focusing on specific aspects of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, climate, biodiversity, and economic development. These departments include Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Climate, Biodiversity, Land and Water Department, Economic and Social Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Forestry, Corporate Services, and Technical Cooperation and Programme Management.

Activities and Initiatives

The FAO publishes several influential reports annually, including:

    • The State of the World's Forests (SOFO)
    • The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA)
    • The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO)
    • The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI)

The FAO has initiated significant programs and summits to address global food security challenges. For instance:

    • World Food Summits: These gatherings aim to combat hunger and malnutrition globally, setting strategic goals and action plans to achieve food security targets.
    • Technical Assistance: The FAO provides technical expertise and support to member countries in agricultural development, natural resource management, and policy formulation.

Restructuring and Budget: In response to evolving challenges, the FAO underwent major restructuring in 1994 to decentralize operations, streamline procedures, and reduce costs. Its budget, funded by member contributions, supports core technical work, partnerships, and emergency assistance.

Impact and Collaboration

Global Impact: The FAO's work influences global policies and practices related to agriculture and food security, advocating for sustainable practices and resilience in food production systems.

Collaboration: It collaborates closely with sister UN agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), along with governments, NGOs, and research institutions worldwide.

Key programs and achievements of FAO

  • Codex Alimentarius Commission: Established in 1961 in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Codex Alimentarius Commission develops food standards, guidelines, and texts to ensure food safety, fair trade, and consumer protection globally.
  • World Food Summit: In 1996, FAO organized the World Food Summit, aiming to halve global hunger by 2015. The Rome Declaration was signed, emphasizing the 'Right to Food' and advocating against industrialized agriculture.
  • TeleFood: Launched in 1997, TeleFood is a fundraising campaign utilizing media and celebrity involvement to support small-scale farmers worldwide, funding projects like fishing equipment in Venezuela and school gardens in Cape Verde.
  • Goodwill Ambassadors: Initiated in 1999, the FAO Goodwill Ambassadors Program raises awareness about food security and hunger issues through public figures such as politicians, actors, and musicians.
  • Right to Food Guidelines: Adopted in 2004, these guidelines provide directives to governments on ensuring food security and addressing hunger as a fundamental human right.
  • EndingHunger Campaign: This campaign mobilizes global advocacy against chronic hunger, using social media and public events to garner support and influence policy.
  • International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC): Established in 1952, the IPPC prevents the spread of pests and plant diseases globally, aiding in agricultural sustainability and security.
  • Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity Building: Dedicated to enhancing plant breeding capabilities in developing countries, aiming to improve crop yields and food security through technology and knowledge sharing.
  • Forestry Initiatives: FAO supports sustainable forest management globally, providing data, technical assistance, and policy dialogue to conserve forests and promote their socio-economic benefits.

Conclusion

  • The FAO report serves as a crucial warning about the potential impacts of climate change on global fish stocks and marine ecosystems. It highlights the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to mitigate emissions and implement adaptive strategies to protect fisheries, particularly in vulnerable regions like SIDS. By integrating climate-smart policies across sectors, policymakers can work towards achieving more sustainable and resilient aquatic food systems, supporting both environmental conservation and food security goals globally.

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Source:

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Sustainable fisheries management needs to consider the social and cultural well-being of fishing communities. How to ensure equitable access to fishing resources for different stakeholders and communities, particularly small-scale fishers who often rely heavily on these resources for their livelihoods?