Ocean Wise wins CAN 850,000 to assess understudied indigenous fisheries' sustainability

Indigenous fisheries, and small fisheries in general, are often not assessed for their sustainability, though they generally used sustainable practices
Indigenous fisheries, and small fisheries in general, are often not assessed for their sustainability, though they generally used sustainable practices | Photo courtesy of Ocean Wise
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NGO Ocean Wise has been awarded CAN 850,000 (USD 592,865) to support and assess the sustainability practices of three Canadian First Nation communities, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Though small fisheries account for forty percent of seafood harvested globally and employ 90 percent of the workers in the seafood industry, they are notoriously hard to assess by standard assessment measures, according to Ocean Wise, and are often forgotten when sustainability efforts are quantified. 

The project's assessment methodology will center indigenous knowledge to help measure and report on the progress of the UN goals in these communities. 

“This approach leverages generations of Indigenous stewardship for a more accurate evaluation of the sustainability of fisheries," Ocean Wise Sciene Lead Samantha Renshaw said.

“Indigenous knowledge has historically been left out of standardized methods to assess sustainability,” Renshaw continued. “Thanks to this funding, we will be able to work directly with First Nations fisheries to create an improved, more equitable system for eco-labels that includes their knowledge and values. This approach leverages generations of Indigenous stewardship for a more accurate evaluation of the sustainability of fisheries.” 

In particular, the three year project will work towards Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth and Sustainable Development) and 10 (Reduced Inequality) by matching First Nation fishers with markets for their seafood. 

Canadian Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jenna Sudds said that the project is all part of the nation’s push towards the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

“Ocean Wise project supports our commitment to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, creating full and productive employment opportunities for all, while leveraging First Nations knowledge and values," Sudds said.


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