Change with Reform!- Street Campaign at Fort on 25th November

VGSSF Translated in to Sinhala and Tamil languages and launched at World Fisheries Day, 2014

NAFSO took part the drafting of the VGSSF since 2008, during the Bangkok 4SSF conference.
Also engaged in the national processes which was conducted among 20 countries across the globe.
In regional consultation at Bangkok, as well as at the technical consultations in June 2013 as well as February 2014, NAFSO represented CSOs. So, we are part of the process as we saw the importance of VGSSF on sustainable future for Small Scale Fishers in the country as well as in the world.

In the 18th World Fisheries Day celebrations held at Colombo, NAFSO launched the VGSSF Sinhala and Tamil translated books. NAFSO expect to launch an education campaign around the country as we want to use the VGSSF for unite fisher people for their sustainable future.

Party time at GA 6

Grace Matilda at Closing ceremony

Singing SA national anthem and honour to Nelson Mandela

SA Tribal dance at GA6 closing ceremony

Tribal Dance of South Africa

South African Fisheries Minister at GA6 Closing ceremony

South African Fisheries Minister addressing the closing ceremony

SidAhmed Abeid and Natalia Laino at the GA 6 closing ceremony

Asian Continentel Committee of WFFP meet at GA6

We are meeting as Asia continentel committee at GA6 today. Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand met as the Asian continentel team today.

We decided  to reaist the Ocean grabbing and irresponsible governance of tenure in national level whicj spread.across the Asia on World Fisheries Day, 21st November.

Training of trainers and training manual is important to understand the activists and community leaders. Our local national organizations could benefit from it to implement the IGSSF.

WFFP GA6 IN CAPE TOWN IN S.AFRICA

We the WFFP family are celebrating GA6 in Cape Town this week from 30 August- 5 September.

Welcoming the participants by singing South African National Anthem

WFFP Family United and Strengthened

Fisher Leaders who gathered in the WFFP GA 6 say "We are together here in Cape Town as fisher people in the world expect us to be united. Let us unite as small scale fisher people around the globe. Let us work out to bring the SSF based on the IGGSSF."
There are 28 countries representatives at the GA6.

Cartoon on Fisheries Issues on news paperz

It is important that various media focus attention on fiheries issues is increasing gradually.
I quoted following cartoon in the first page of Sunday Times on 13th July which shows how Minister of Fisheries and authorities futile attempts to cover the fisheries issues.

NFF leaders demand Katchchathivu back to India? Is this the issue at the moment?

WFFP Indian member organization leader, M. Ilango has written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj about to get the ownership of Katchchathivu  back to India, reversing 1974 and 1976 India - Sri Lanka pact to handing over the island to Sri Lanka.
Interestingly, Illango has requested the Indian PM and Foreign minister come up with an agreement between highest level of authorities in both the countries to release all the vessels and fishermen arrested and held in jail and no more arrests in the future any more.

This is some what important as far as Sri Lankan fishermen who are accusing the Indian trawler invasion in to SL waters and destroy their resources.
At the same time, this could be a goof news to the Sri Lankan fishermen who are crossing the boarder  in the southern districts through multi day boats.

How do we solve the issues related to northern, eastern and north/ western fishermen's serious issues in relation to this Indian trawler invasion.
This is some thing we need to take up at the WFFP coordination committee level. However, there is a background materials to argue about the trans boundary issues through Voluntary Guidelines on Small Scale Fisheries, [VGSSF] which was adopted at the COFI 31 session in June this year and also the Voluntary Guidelines on Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests.[VGGT] which was adopted at Committee of World Food Security of Food and Agriculture of the United Nations.

I would like to upload the letter of M.Illango, the chair of NFF India for the information of you all.

To :

Shri. Narendra Modiji,

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,

New Delhi.

                   

Hon’ble sir,

          Sub.: Requisition to retrieve the Katchatheve Island and seek out

                   permanent solution for the Indian – Srilankan fishermen

                   issues - reg.

***

          Warm greetings from National Fishworkers’ Forum !

          I would like to put forth to your perceive that one of the Fishermen  Welfare Organization had filed a Writ Petition before the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Chennai, looking for remedies in favour of the Indian Fishermen to do fishing in the sea surface between the Indian and Sri Lankan Countries and to recover the Katchatheve Island from the Sri Lanka, which was initially belonged to India.   When the hearing of the case was posted on last 01.07.2014, the Additional Solicitor General of Government of India had filed a Statement stating that ‘as per the Agreement entered between the Indian and SriLankan Governments in the year 1974 & 1976, the Indian fishermen are not having authorization to do fishing near the Katchatheve Island’.   This estimation of the Union Government may be factual as per the Agreement which subsists now.

          Although, the fishermen of TamilNadu and Puducherry are having sturdy trust that as the continuation of fulfilling the promises conveyed by you, the other BJP leaders viz., Shri.Rajnath Singh and Smt.Sushma Swaraj in the campaigning of latest Lok Sabha Election,   the present Union Government headed by your goodself would embrace that the Katchatheve Island belongs to India.

          I would also like to notify you that the TamilNadu BJP Leader Shri.Jana.Krishnamoorthy had filed a Writ Petition before the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Chennai to recuperate the Katchatheve Island.

          Smt.Sushma Swaraj also had sworn in the ‘Sea Lotus Meeting’ which was held before the Election that the BJP would retrieve the Katchatheve Island from SriLanka.

          I would like to bring your kind notice that the National Fishworkers’ Forum observed a five days ‘Dharna’ in Janthar Manthar of New Delhi emphasizing the demands of fishermen during the beginning of March 2013, and even when myself and other Office Bearers of the Forum had met Smt.Sushma Swaraj in the Parliament Complex, she had articulated that the BJP  understood the issues of the Indian fishermen including the Katchatheve Island and as the result of it; those issues were cited in the ‘BJP National Policy on Fishing & Fishermen’ and those would be resolved when the BJP heads the Union Government.   

          I bring your kind attention to the fact that in the Policy Document of BJP released in the year 2010, in the page of ‘“National Policy on Fishing & Fishermen” marked in the 48^th page; it was cited as the following:-

 “ ENCROACHMENT ON TERRITORIAL WATERS

          1.Sri Lanka : In the last two decades, an estimated 500 fishermen have been killed by the security agencies of Sri Lanka.   After the transfer of the Katchatheve islands to Sri Lanka in 1976, fishermen had restricted access to the island, regardless of the terms of the agreement.

          Fishermen have braved arrests to fish in these waters. 

          It is not uncommon for fishing craft to inadvertently stray into the territorial waters of another nation and tragically, it often costs them their lives.   The establishment of a Joint Working Group (JWG) and constant interface between security agencies of the concerned nations could go a long way in preventing such mishaps. ” 

          In the campaigning of recent Lok Sabha held at Chennai; your goodself also proclaimed that if the BJP heads the Union Government, the issues of TamilNadu fishermen would be instantly & permanently solved.

          Since the BJP has headed the present Union Government under your benign leadership, the TamilNadu and Puducherry fishermen are with strong belief that their problems would be resolved permanently.

          Whilst, the present Statement filed by the Union Government in the aforesaid Writ, relates to the Katchatheve Island has disappointed our fishermen.

          The present Statement of Additional Solicitor General may have been avoided without showing any hurry and in fact the same has been the mimic of the stand held by the past Union Government.

          The Additional Solicitor General may have obtained further time in lieu of filing an enhanced Statement after concluding higher level Meetings and decisions held in the Union Government and also with the Government of Sri Lanka. 

          We request your goodself to bestow magnitude as an emergency in resolving the problems of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen permanently as if you invited the top level Leaders of the neighborhood Countries for your Swear-in-Ceremony as Prime Minister of India and on the same time you smartly held discussions with them to seek out solutions for the issues between India and their Countries.

            We kindly request you to take steps for an Agreement to be entered between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen for permanent solutions; after the higher level of bilateral Meetings held between the concerned Ministers and top level Officials of both the India & Sri Lanka, with the consultation of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

          The ‘Term’ that any one of India or Sri Lanka Government would not arrest any of other Country fishermen stating that they have crossed their maritime borders, should be entered in the aforesaid Agreement.

          We request you to take steps to release the fishermen who were arrested and imprisoned in both the India and Sri Lanka Governments and hand over the seized fishing vessels to the respective fishermen.

          We further plea before you to take steps in favour of both the Indian & Sri Lankan fishermen to involve in their fishing activities in the sea surfaces between both the Countries as brotherhood and as well as maintaining the traditional fishing like the past.

          We request your goodself to seek out permanent remedies for the fishermen of India by taking steps for the required bilateral talks between both the Indian & Sri Lankan Countries, in order to defend the livelihoods of their fishermen and empower them to do their fishing activities amicably in the sea surface between India & Sri Lanka, including adherence of fishing ban period by both the fishermen.

                                                                                   M. Ilango

                                                                                 Chairperson,

                                                                     National Fishworkers’ Forum

Are we citizens or voters of Sri Lanka?

We need find ways for a better future of the country. Do we have any alternative to propose to rebuilding the country. Although there were number of attempts to draft some proposals for an alternative future of the country.
We need a change but with proposals to change policies and programme s of the country.
Our attempt to find alternatives for;
. Constitution reforms,
. Religious and ethnic harmony,
. Agriculture, fisheries, plantation, and workers
. Education, health, transpotation.
. Rule of law,
. Women
. Disappearance,
. National issues,
. Media,
. Environmental sustenance,

0ur aim is to build up a forum with all those sectors to develop and establish democratic reforms, economic reforms, rule of law in the country.
We stand for the change. But Change with Reforms in the country.

No more Cheating! Need immediate action to resolve Fuel crisis.

Negombo fishermen conducted several token protests at Negombo and Chilaw areas recently. Dialogue between fishermen and minister of fisheries were conducted. No successful response received up to now. GOSL increased fuel price 35 LKR/ LITRE overnight and put the fisher people's livelihood in danger. As a result of continuous struggle of fishing communities, GOSL had to promise a fuel subsidy though the fisher people rejected the same strongly.  Finally, the subsidy was given 15 months ago for certain places. GOSL is now attempt to cut the subsidy fully and give  material subsidy once and for all which is worth of 108,000 LKR for a OBM 18 feet boat.
Today Negombo fisher peoole were cobducted a mass at Sea street  church and a protest march from Sea street to Negombo mhnicipal council . Then they conducted a continuous protest at a place in the municipal grounds. There demand is very clear. " No more cheating! Need clear answer for fuel Crisis"

In the evening we overheard that the Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has sent a message to the protestorrs saying "We are with fisher people. We mediate to find a solution after discussing with the President."

However, the fisher people continue their  Sathyagraha at Negombo at the moment too.
The time now is 8.00 pm on 16th June.
We do hope people will continue their struggle until they receive effective answer.

Who own the Land, Sea and Water?

Every day I write various issues faced by people whom I meet in my work.  But we don't have any solution though we can facilitate to find solution if we all affected work together and win the struggles. This was our experience of SeaPlane struggle at Negombo lagoon. Lagoon fishers, men and women with their supporters launched the campaign and won the struggle. This is a classic example of our fisheries struggles in the recent past.
Similar situation we experience when government was planning to remove 4500 families in Hirudeniyaya agriculture scheme for tourism project around Kahalla- Pallakele forest. People's continious struggle brought to hold the project while withdrawing the cases filed by Wild Life department against the farmers.
There is no different  at the SeaPlane project at Parakrama Samudraya Polonnaruwa.
So it is people are in the CENTRE when we won the struggles.  So our role is to facilitate the process, provide the technical  knowledge, bring affected people together, building network, bring media to the people and may be the facilitation list is further longer.
But the issues we learned today people expect solutions from us.
People from Karamalaiuththu at Marble beach expect our mediation for their loss of the beach seine points. Loss of 4 beach seine points mean loss of livelihoods for 100 fisher families.
But it is unfortunate that people are reluctant to attend the legal protection even lawyer wanted to provide assistance. So what we say to them is to take the lead and get the support from others including us.  It is a struggle. Not a contract.
If the living organisms are the owners of the resources they should have the right to fight to tetain them. Not any one else.

Forgotten IDPs in Sampur

QThe plantation and human rights minister Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe had revealed the IDP situation at the HR council at Geneva saying there is  No single IDP  in the country after 26th September 2012.  This is very intresting to hear as there are hundreds of thousands of IDPs are still living in tempory shelters or relative's places in many parts of the country.
It is unfortunate the situation of tempory camps of Sampur people .

There are 4 camps with several hundreds people living in following places.

Name of the camp   Number of people
Kilivettty                          340      
Pattithadal                     164
Manatchenai                     56
Kattaiprichchan              361

On 30th May 2007 GOSL had issued a Gazette notification declaring Sampur High Security Zone with 518 acres. Later the same land mass was declared as Special economic Zone. However, the same area was now declared as Heavy Industrial Zone of Sampur and even no EIA report punlished so far.

In the provincil council debate at the eastern province, when opposition leader of the coimcil raised the plight of Sampur people saying  "Hon president had  ordered to resettle Sampur  people immediately."
However with the surprise the media ammoumced that after attemding swearing in ceremony of Inddian  prime minister the same President had ordered to accelerate the building of Sampur coal power plant.
The milliom dollar question is "Whither the Sampur IDP Communities?"
We need  an answer for this question.

Why VGSSF of FAO is important to Small Scale Fishers in the world

The VGSSF are comprehensive and deal, in one instrument, with all significant aspects of small scale fisheries and fishing communities within a human rights persoective. These Guidelines will support the visibility, recognition and enhancement od small scale fisheries and fishing communities in in the context of eradicating hunger and poverty. The Guidelines will also significantly contribute to effectively addressing numerous challenges and constraints facing small scale fishing communities around the world.  They will address the social, economic and will also assist fishing communities to engage in meningful dialogue with the State and other sectors towards securing access to their living and livelihood space and in protecting this space from various threats.
The challenge ahead of us is the implementation of the Guidelines to give full effect to their recommendations are considerable.
We the CSOs are hopeful the Statwa are ready to implement the VGSSF with full spirit of it.

Fisher's in danger due to Corrupted Kerosene supply

The small scale fishermen affected in many ways of social, economic issues and there  is no difference the news we heard at the meeting at Batticoloa today. There are more than  250 out board engines were damaged at the mid of the sea last week due to use of corrupted Kerosene provided by the fuel stations there. The engines were stucked and stopped at mid sea. The Kerosene has mixed with either water or some other chemicals and damaged the engines.
This was one of the worst situation as this could caused to death of fishermen due to damage their engines.
Now fisher families need at least 2000-4000 LKR for repair the engines.
The affected families do not have enough income for survival as the low catch in the east coast of Batticoloa district.
Some of the agencies in the area now searching some possibilities to provide micro finance assistance for the fishermen who affected from the Kerosene issue.

"We are too Citizens of the country."

Women who are the heads of the families are received livelihoods assistance today in Trincomalee  Urban council under the 'empowerment of most marginalized, unattended women headed failies schemepf NAFSO.
The victims of the war, survivors of tsunami, internally displaced 112 women received agriculture, fisheries, domestic industries, groceries materials under the women headed families livelihood assistance scheme which was supported through CCFD/ CRIdF the strategic partner of NAFSO.
The livelihood assistance was ditributed as the second batch in Trincomalee today while 138 WHF received the assistance at the first batch in August last year.
Karunawathie, a woman who disappeared her husband while fishing in the sea during the war time said " We are too citizens of SL though neglected. But, we are having potential to produce if support as NAFSO does and feed our feed our children without depending on any others".
The mayor who attended the function as chief guest said, " We appreciate the assistance of NAFSO for the women who need the assistance most in the society.
We know how hard work the field workers attempt to make this work a success and we commend their work. We would like to provide any assistance to such group."
Sanjana, the field activist and Ananda Peiris from Trincomalee district organization and Lavena Hasanthi, Antony Jesudasan among others who worked hard to make the event a successful.
Chitrani, the chair of the Diriya  Kantha Women Organization at Trincomalee who attended with her team to assist the organizers voluntarily said "We know NAFSO is a precious Gem to the country. We will protect it and  preserve for future."
These are blessings and important to build trust among poor and marginalized communities.

Northern Province Fishers Unity elected their new Leadership

The thurd AGM of Northern Province Fisher People's Unity was held today at Yalpady hotel, Jaffna.
Suriyakumaran the presant chair who is Point Pedro fishing community was reelected as the chair for next 3 years. Suvramaniyam former acting chair from Mathagal Jaffna was elected as the secretary while Mariyarasa from Mulaitivu fisher federation elected as the treasurer.
There were several amendments made to the constitution. One important amendment was to allow people's representative to elect as office bearers.
The Fisher peoples unity was established with much strength this time after joining Mulaitivu fisheries federation joined the unity.
Convener, NAFSO raised the concerns of following issues;
. Indu- SL fisher people's dialogue on 12th May,
. An overall plan for Northern province fisher people's future,
. Fisher people's Unity exchange visit with TN fishers,
. Funds for Fisher people's Unity work,

Antony Jesudasan explained the 30th campaign at Fort railway station and how the group could attend the program.
At the same time there will be a protest organized by TNPF against Land Grabbing at Kilinochchi.
The Fisher People's Unity decided to join fisher people's struggles whenever possible.

Change! Yes, With Reforms!

NAFSO together with civil society organizations, political parties, Fisheries organisations particulars in northern and eastern provinces, HR groups, religious groups, media will launch a signature campaign on Main 4 issues related to fisheries issues in the country.
The program will be held at Fort Railway Station on Friday 30th May during 2.00- 6.00 pm.
The 4 issues are;
1. Indian Trawler issue,
2. Fuel Subsidy
3. Land Grabbing
4. IDP issues
Those were the similar issues addressed on 15th February campaign at Chilaw, Galle, Pothuwil and Jaffna.

The 30th Program will be;
. Signing petition
. Launch signature campaign
. Distribution of leaflets
. Speeches of political, civil and religious leadership

We want to collect 100,000 signatures while launching the campaign in different places in the country.
31st May-Mannar
1st June- Katunayake
7th June- Negombo
8th June- Jaffna
14th June- Trincomalee
15th June - Ampara
21st June - Kalpitiya
22nd June - Kurunegala
28th June - Batticoloa
29th June - Karuwalagaswewa

We do hope NAFSO members, civil groups, fisheries organizations to join hand in hand with us.
We do hope to promote:
Change! Yes, With, Reforms!
In this campaign.

What is "Blue Growth" Promoted by FAO? Will this be benefit 90% Small Scale Fishers in the world?

FAO of UN in it's the latest report  of "State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture" has revealed the current situation of world capture fisheries and the Aquaculture. Aquaculture contributes the 90 Metric tonnes while Wild capture fisheries contributes 80 Metric tonnes, At the same time, we are concerned about the FAO concept of "Blue Growth" which could most likely similar to "Green Growth" of the land. Here I have quoted some important points from the report of SeafoodNews,comm Washington.   Herman United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization: 70% of global fish stocks fished within sustainable limits; seafood production up 10 million tons

May 20, 2014 -- FAO has released its latest "State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture" report, covering 2012,  and there are a number of positive news items. First and foremost, 70% of wild capture fisheries are now being fished within biologically sustainable limits. This is a "reversal in trend observed during the past few years, a positive sign in the right direction," says the FAO. Global capture fisheries remained stable at 80 million tons. Secondly, the aquaculture production continues to surge. Global aquaculture production marked a record high of more than 90 million tonnes in 2012, including almost 24 million tonnes of aquatic plants. China accounted for over 60 percent of the total share. Other positive trends were the increase in employment in fisheries and aquaculture, the greater share o trade coming from developing countries, and the fact that seafood now accounts for 17% of global protein consumption. The report also emphasizes the importance and positive role of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries which, since its adoption almost two decades ago, remains key to achieving sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. More people than ever before rely on fisheries and aquaculture for food and as a source of income says the new FAO report published today. According to the latest edition of FAO's The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, global fisheries and aquaculture production totaled 158 million tonnes in 2012 - around 10 million tonnes more than 2010. The rapid expansion of aquaculture, including the activities of small-scale farmers, is driving this growth in production. Fish farming holds tremendous promise in responding to surging demand for food which is taking place due to global population growth, the report says. At the same time, the planet's oceans - if sustainably managed - have an important role to play in providing jobs and feeding the world, according to FAO's report. "The health of our planet as well as our own health and future food security all hinge on how we treat the blue world," FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said. "We need to ensure that environmental well-being is compatible with human well-being in order to make long-term sustainable prosperity a reality for all. For this reason, FAO is committed to promoting 'Blue Growth,' which is based on the sustainable and responsible management of our aquatic resources." The renewed focus on the so-called "blue world" comes as the share of fisheries production used by humans for food has increased from about 70 percent in the 1980s to a record high of more than 85 percent (136 million tonnes) in 2012. At the same time per capita fish consumption has soared from 10 kg in the 1960s to more than 19 kg in 2012. The new report also says fish now accounts for almost 17 percent of the global population's intake of protein -- in some coastal and island countries it can top 70 percent. FAO estimates that fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of 10-12 percent of the world's population. Since 1990 employment in the sector has grown at a faster rate than the world's population and in 2012 provided jobs for some 60 million people engaged in capture fisheries and aquaculture. Of these, 84 percent were employed in Asia, followed by Africa with about 10 percent. Global marine capture fishery production was stable at about 80 million tonnes in 2012, the new report indicates. Currently, under 30 percent of the wild fish stocks regularly monitored by FAO are overfished - a reversal in trend observed during the past few years, a positive sign in the right direction. Just over 70 percent are being fished within biologically sustainable levels. Of these, fully fished stocks - meaning those at or very close to their maximum sustainable production - account for over 60 percent and underfished stocks about 10 percent. Global aquaculture production marked a record high of more than 90 million tonnes in 2012, including almost 24 million tonnes of aquatic plants. China accounted for over 60 percent of the total share. Aquaculture's expansion helps improve the diets of many people, especially in poor rural areas where the presence of essential nutrients in food is often scarce. However, the report warns that to continue to grow sustainably, aquaculture needs to become less dependent on wild fish for feeds and introduce greater diversity in farmed culture species and practices. For example, small-sized species can be an excellent source of essential minerals when consumed whole. However, consumer preferences and other factors have seen a switch towards larger farmed species whose bones and heads are often discarded. The role of fish is set to feature prominently at the Second International Conference on Nutrition jointly organized by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) for 19-21 November 2014 in Rome. Fish remains among the most traded food commodities worldwide, worth almost $130 billion in 2012 - a figure which likely will continue to increase. An important trend sees developing countries boosting their share in the fishery trade - 54 percent of total fishery exports by value in 2012 and more than 60 percent by quantity (live weight). This means fisheries and fish farming are playing an increasingly critical role for many local economies. Some 90 percent of fishers are small scale and it is estimated that, overall, 15 percent are women. In secondary activities such as processing, this figure can be as high as 90 percent. FAO, through the 2014 International Year of Family Farming, is raising the profile of smallholder activities - including fisheries and aquaculture - with an emphasis on improving access to finance and markets, securing tenure rights and protecting the environment. An estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost per year - to about one-third of all food produced. This figure includes post-harvest fish losses, which tend to be greater in small-scale fisheries. In small-scale fisheries, quality losses are often far more significant than physical losses. Improved handling, processing and value-addition methods could address the technical aspects of this issue, but it is also vital to extend good practices, build partnerships, raise awareness, and develop capacity and relevant policies and strategies. The report also notes that illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing remains a major threat to marine ecosystems and also impacts negatively on livelihoods, local economies and food supplies. Food chain traceability is increasingly a requirement in major fish markets, especially in the wake of recent scandals involving the mislabeling of food products. FAO provides technical guidelines on certification and ecolabeling which can help producers demonstrate that fish has been caught legally from a sustainably managed fishery or produced in properly run aquaculture facility. In particular, the report stresses the importance of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries which, since its adoption almost two decades ago, remains key to achieving sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. The Code promotes the responsible use of aquatic resources and habitat conservation to help boost the sector's contribution to food security, poverty alleviation and human well-being. FAO is also promoting "Blue Growth" as a framework for ensuring sustainable and socioeconomically-sensitive management of oceans and wetlands. At the Global Oceans Action Summit on Food Security and Blue Growth held last month in The Hague, Netherlands, governments and other participants committed to actions focused on tackling climate change, overfishing, habitat loss and pollution in a bid to restore productive, resilient oceans.