Sustainable fisheries

COFAD adheres to the concept of sustainable fisheries. Sustainability here includes all three pillars or dimensions: environmental, economic and social sustainability. In the case of fisheries this requires responsible management of fish populations and ecosystems in order to maintain an ecological balance and ensure long-term economic and social benefits such as global food security, economic growth, and the livelihood of millions of people worldwide.
To achieve this, COFAD promotes or supports the application of instruments such as:

• Participatory fisheries management: Involving the various stakeholders in managing fish stocks, benefiting from their knowledge and ensuring that the management process considers their interests.
• Catch limits: This involves setting a maximum number of fish that can be caught to prevent overfishing. These limits are often based on scientific research and data on fish populations.
• Seasonal restrictions: Certain times of the year may be closed to fishing to allow fish populations to reproduce and recover.
• Gear restrictions: Regulations may restrict the type or size of equipment used to catch fish to reduce the risk of catching non-target species (bycatch) and damaging habitats.
• Fishing licenses and permits: These administrative tools control who can fish, where and when, and the species and quantity they are authorised to catch.
• Monitoring and surveillance: Regular monitoring of fishing activities helps to ensure compliance and provides valuable data for future management decisions.
• Marine protected areas: These are areas where human activities, especially fishing, are restricted or banned altogether to protect biodiversity.

The importance of sustainable fishing is far-reaching, especially for future generations. It ensures the health of marine ecosystems, preserves biodiversity and maintains the balance of marine life. It also provides a basis for the long-term economic stability of communities who depend on fishing, while securing an essential source of protein for billions of people worldwide.

COFAD provides support for the practice and promotion of sustainable fisheries. Our work contributes to a healthier, more diverse, and more abundant world for future generations. Sustainable fishing is therefore not just an environmental concern, but also a socio-economic necessity for the long-term well-being and prosperity of future generations.

For more information on the services we provide in fisheries, info [at] cofad.de (please contact us.)