FAO workshop in Ghana: our recommendations

(2nd February 2024)

Several members of the Global Roundtable on Marine Ingredents travelled to Africa to participate in a workshop from 5th to 7th December 2023 in Accra, Ghana. The workshop focused on Sub-Saharan/West Africa, and how the regional fishery resources can best contribute to food and nutrition security, to the livelihoods of small-scale and dependent fisheries communities, including in the context of the development of the fish-based feed industry. The workshop was organised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the EAF Nansen programme in collaboration with the Global Roundtable on Marine Ingredients and the Iceland Ocean Cluster. Guided by a 2022 FAO report, the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication, and the findings and recommendations in the Human Rights Impact Assessment which the Global Roundtable commissionned to Partner Africa in 2023, the workshop discussed solutions on a range of issues. It brought together 50 representatives of the local fishing communities, governments, private sector actors, research institutions and relevant professional and interest organisations. 

The participants reached a consensus based on nine points, which include the recognition that the socio-cultural context in Western Africa is very important and the level of reliance on aquatic food consumption varies across between countries. Discussions during the workshop enhanced stakeholder understanding of the trade-offs between fish for human consumption vs fish for animal feed. The joint conclusions also stress that the marine ingredients producers and importers should be made to respect existing legislations and to share information as requested. A responsible fishmeal and fish oil industry can play a role in Western Africa especially if focused on valorising fish that cannot be destined to direct human consumption. At the same time, states should put in place policies that encourage direct human consumption of small pelagics.

A report of the workshop will be published later in 2024. 

Members of the Global Roundtable want to be part of the solution to issues raised by local communities regarding traditional value chain losing out in a resource and consumer competition. They recommend an action plan based on key principles: improved governance, improved enforcement of rules and regulations, improved management. They call on all stakeholders involved in those countries and in the associated value chains to work towards:

1. Improving stock management by strengthened regional cooperation and national implementation. This would ensure that enough mature stock spawns and that juveniles get a chance to grow to maturity before being caught. This would rely on increased research and stock evaluation as well as enforcement of fisheries policies and regulations.

2. Enforcing rules and regulations, regarding environment, quality and infrastructure, to bring factories up to international standards. Internalising costs and levelling playing fields is key to address the salient impacts that some practices are having on local communities.

3. Enforcing rules and regulations, regarding working conditions and human rights, to bring factories and vessel operators up to international standards. The industry must work to ensure it is meeting standards set by the United Nations, International Labour Organisation and FAO.

4. Implementing a hierarchy of use for regional fisheries to maximise human consumption and contribution of fisheries to local economies.

5. Implementing transparent licence fees and resource tax collection and use in order to manage trade-offs and alleviate unavoidable socio-economic changes.

6. Improving effective utilisation of catch. Through less waste, better quality, new markets and new product development, creating value for local communities. 

7. Improving data gathering and processing to facilitate data driven fishery management.

8. Ensuring effective involvement of small-scale fishers, fish workers, women and related organisations in fisheries management decision making.

We believe that bringing responsible management to the fisheries in this region can contribute to preserving local livelihoods. Raising the current practices infishmeal and oil industries in Senegal and Mauritania to global standards is a long-term, step by step approach in which many stakeholders are already engaged. We encourage all stakeholders to participate in  building constructive and collaborative approaches to resolving complex regional issues, taking into account positive practices and lessons learned from other countries in the region and around the globe.

Contact & info:  contact@marinegrt.com