Coastal fisheries and the associated well-being of coastal communities in Pacific Islands countries are currently threatened by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, unsustainable fishing levels and practices, climate change, and the degradation of critical habitat. Through OurFish OurFuture, USAID will support regional projects to maintain healthy, well-managed, secure, and sustainable coastal fisheries ecosystems in the Pacific Islands region.
OurFish OurFuture is a five-year (2021-2026), $15 million regional project that aims to address the social and ecological drivers of IUU fishing that are degrading coastal fisheries and biodiversity, as well as negatively impacting local livelihoods, food stability, and maritime security in the 12 Pacific Island countries with specific focus on six countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
ACTIVITIES
OurFish OurFuture will use communities of practice and innovative scaling approaches to share and collaboratively develop information, tools, and best practices. The project will implement a culturally-sensitive and ecosystem-scale fisheries governance system through (1) inclusive and transparent decision-making processes that are informed by traditional knowledge and science, and (2) increased stakeholder engagement with measures to address IUU fishing and other threats to ecosystem-level biodiversity threats.
IMPROVE SUSTAINABLE COASTAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
OurFish OurFuture will improve enabling conditions and nested governance systems for coastal ecosystem approaches to fisheries management (EAFM) in Melanesia and Micronesia. USAID’s partners will improve policies on managing coastal fisheries, strengthen capacities on EAFM, and increase constituencies demanding sustainable coastal fisheries and biodiversity conservation.
ENHANCE MONITORING, CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE IN COASTAL FISHERIES
OurFish OurFuture will foster informed coastal EAFM and reduced IUU fishing to improve the sovereignty, security, and sustainability in the two subregions. Partners will improve coastal fisheries data systems, improve enforcement capacities, and strengthen collaboration of enforcement authorities.
DEMONSTRATE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAINS
OurFish OurFuture will develop and scale private sector partnerships that mobilize and enhance coastal fishery supply chains in contributing to the growth of a Blue Economy in the Pacific Islands region. Partners will pilot innovative conservation financing models and develop interventions to promote value chain addition and retention.
STRENGTHEN RESILIENCE AND MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT FOR MARGINALIZED ACTORS IN COASTAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
OurFish OurFuture will integrate greater community, gender, and youth engagement in activity design, implementation, and monitoring. The project will ensure shocks and stresses are factored into EAFM plans to boost the resilience of coastal ecosystems and fishery-based livelihoods. Partners will work to increase equitable access and control of coastal fisheries, ecosystems, resources, and products, as well as increase resilience and adaptive capacity through enhanced planning at regional and local scales.
ABOUT US
USAID’s OurFish OurFuture is implemented in partnership with the University of Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Center, Locally Managed Marine Area Network, World Wildlife Fund, and The University of the South Pacific. The project will also collaborate closely with the Pacific Community (SPC), other regional fishery organizations, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations, and relevant government authorities.
CONTACT US
Contact Name: Ryan Washburn, USAID Mission Director / Betty Chung, USAID Deputy Mission Director
Address: U.S. Embassy, Annex 2 Building, 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Philippines 1000
Phone: (632) 5301 6000
Email: infopacificislands@usaid.gov
Website: www.usaid.gov/pacific-islands
Facebook: www.facebook.com/usaid.pacificislands
Twitter: www.twitter.com/usaidpacificisl
Original source can be found here.