Artisanal Stewardship at OOC11
Why the power to restore coastal seas lies within communities
Our ambitions
Blue Ventures is supporting our partners to build on the momentum of recent successes and to advocate for strong policy commitments from African nations. We will be pushing for the establishment, expansion and strengthening of Inshore Exclusion Zones (IEZs) where industrial fishing activity is restricted, and co-management rights are secured for small-scale fisheries.
Our mission
We’ll be supporting small-scale fisher leaders from across Africa to participate in the conference, and to shape the policy discourse to reflect their standing as custodians of the ocean.
One of those leaders is Diaba Diop. Diaba is the President of the Network of Women in Artisanal Fisheries in Senegal (known by its French acronym REFEPAS), an organisation founded in 2010 that brings together women fish processors and women traders operating across Senegal's coastal communities. Meet Diaba in the short film below.
Why small-scale fishers?
Nearly 30 per cent of the world’s population lives in coastal areas. And one in every 12 people globally — nearly half of them women — depend at least partly on small-scale fishing for their livelihood.
Small-scale fisheries are among the most energy-efficient food production systems, with low environmental impacts, and outsized economic and social value.
And their linked communities steward vast seascapes that harbour vital seagrasses, corals and mangroves.
To support these essential producers and guardians while meeting climate and biodiversity goals, governments must apply policies in ways that centre people. As it is only through the full recognition of small-scale fisher rights - and support for their priorities - that we will see a sustainable and equitable blue economy, and successful ocean conservation.
Where to find us
We'll be in Mombasa, alongside a delegation of small-scale fishers from around the world. Find us at the following events:
Wednesday 17th June, 17.00 – 19.00 | Mombasa Continental Resort | Artisanal Stewardship of the Seas: African Leadership for Sustainable Fisheries
Wednesday 17th June, 07.00 – 09.00 | Nyota Room, Serena Beach Resort & Spa | Blue Action Grantees & Partners Breakfast
Wednesday 17th June, 13.00 – 14.15 | Black Marlin Room | Making 30×30 Work: Community-Led Marine Protection Across Africa
Wednesday 17th June, 17.30 – 18:45 | Eco Ballroom | Strengthening Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Western Indian Ocean through data harmonization
Wednesday 17th June, 18.00 – 19:30 | Invitation Only, Pride Inn Flamingo – Deck 240| Learn & Inspire: EbA Solutions and Impact at Scale for a Resilient African Ocean
Thursday 18th June, 08.00 – 09:00 | Mombasa Continental Resort | The transformative force of data-driven partnerships for implementing the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
Our commitment
Blue Ventures commits to supporting 10,000 communities to lead fisheries co-management and marine conservation by 2030, with over 400 civil society organisations supported in more than 10 countries with funding, data, training and learning, and policy engagement. We commit to providing USD65 million in grants to partners from 2025 to 2030. Through this approach, frontline communities will bring 200,000km2 of coastal seas under effective local stewardship, with concurrent improvements in food security, income resilience and community wellbeing.
Ocean Matriarchs
We're raising the voices of the hidden but mighty force behind small-scale fisheries.
Climate change, today’s biggest global challenge, intersects profoundly with persistent issues of gender inequality. Its impact across various aspects of human life is paralleled by the significant influence of gender on people’s experiences and resilience in the face of climatic shifts.
Women make up around 40% of the global small-scale fisheries sector workforce, either employed in capture fisheries value networks or engaged in subsistence activities
Our Ocean Matriarchs visual storytelling project celebrates women fishers, traders, and processors advancing inclusive ocean protection and resilient coastal livelihoods across Africa's coastlines. Find the exhibition at the Pride Inn Flamingo throughout the conference.
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