Driving Transformation: Empowering Local Fisheries through the Tourism Sector

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Advancing Responsible Seafood Sourcing Locally

The conventional approach within the sustainable seafood movement primarily focuses on high-volume fisheries in global markets. However, given the diverse geographies in which hotels like Iberostar Hotels operate, and the crucial role of local fisheries and farms in sustaining livelihoods, it’s imperative to redefine our understanding of responsible seafood in these markets.

Conventional methods such launching Fishery and Aquaculture improvement projects (FIPs & AIPS) may not be suitable due to various constraints like cost, assessment methodologies, and market accessibility. How can we then support companies operating in domestic markets to adopt a strategic approach to optimizing resources and improve long-term sourcing?

During my time at Iberostar hotels, we launched “Lifting Up Local” as an initiative to answer this very question. The aim was to establish partnerships that support in-country efforts and utilize existing initiatives efficiently, avoiding redundancy while paving the way for improvement.

Initially aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.b, which encouraged the development of sustainable harvest management pathways for local fisheries and the communities dependent on them, “Lifting Up Local” quickly evolved to address sustainable fisheries and aquaculture productions in a holistic way.

Through “Lifting Up Local” program, I sought to understand the following:

  • What was the environmental impact of the fishing/aquaculture practices?
  • How did fishing/aquaculture activities affect the community, livelihoods, particularly for women, and access to job opportunities?
  • Are there pre-existing organizations dedicated to environmental improvements in the fishery/farm?
  • What is the status of the stock? Is there scientific data available?
  • Is there a management strategy and or other conservation measure in place?
  • What is the legal framework? Is there Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing?
AND in the context of these questions, 
  • In what ways can hotels/tourist sector contribute to promoting improvements and supporting local communities while meeting their sourcing needs?
  • What engagement opportunities exist within their own supply chain and through connecting with producers?
  • Can  hotels/tourist sector effectively utilize their involvement in trade associations within the region to collaboratively source similar products and collectively support improvement initiatives?

This comprehensive strategy for ‘Lifting up Local’ went beyond small scale/industrial fishery and aquaculture operations. It recognized that empowering local producers through direct sourcing could enhance their income and promote economic growth (aligned with SDG 1 and SDG 8) in these countries, consequently addressing poverty and ensuring food security (aligned with SDG 2). Collaboration with local communities should be focused on building their capacity and providing training for sustainable seafood production and consumption (aligned with SDG 12) as well as highlighting and supporting the existing role of women in these fisheries, offering leadership training (aligned with SDG 5).

Sustainable fisheries play a critical role in supporting various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations and through LIfting up Local, I believed there is an opportunity to create programs that could help contribute to achieving these goals (among others):

Goal 1: No Poverty

Sustainable fisheries provide livelihoods and income opportunities, especially in coastal and fishing communities. By ensuring sustainable management, these communities can escape poverty and improve their economic well-being.

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Sustainable fisheries contribute to food security and nutrition by providing a significant source of protein and essential nutrients to communities, addressing hunger and malnutrition.

Goal 5: Gender Equality

Promoting gender equality is facilitated through sustainable fisheries by recognizing and empowering the role of women in the fisheries sector, ensuring they have equal opportunities for participation and leadership.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Sustainable fisheries create sustainable job opportunities, contributing to economic growth and fostering decent work conditions, supporting both the fisheries sector and related industries.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Sustainable fisheries encourage innovation in fishing practices, equipment, and technologies, leading to advancements in the fishing industry while minimizing negative environmental impacts.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Sustainable fisheries promote responsible consumption by ensuring that seafood is sourced and harvested in an environmentally responsible and ethical manner, encouraging consumers to make sustainable choices.

Goal 13: Climate Action

Well-managed sustainable fisheries play a part in mitigating climate change impacts by conserving marine ecosystems and reducing overfishing, which are vital for sequestering carbon and maintaining a balanced climate.

Goal 14: Life Below Water

Sustainable fisheries contribute directly to this goal by promoting the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources, protecting marine ecosystems, and maintaining biodiversity in the oceans.

Goal 15: Life on Land

Sustainable fisheries can alleviate pressure on terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity by providing an alternative source of protein, thus reducing the need for land-based agriculture.

Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Achieving sustainable fisheries requires collaboration and partnerships among governments, local communities, NGOs, businesses, and international organizations. Effective partnerships can lead to better management practices and the achievement of sustainable fisheries and related SDGs.

PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION

Sustainable fisheries are integral to achieving a multitude of Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to poverty reduction, food security, economic growth, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and more. By focusing on “Lifting Up Local” programs, hotels and others in the tourism sector can help drive improvements in the sector that ultimately tackle some of these challenges, and together, they can start identifying priority areas which are aligned with their values and will help them achieve their own SDG & Climate strategy agendas.

You can learn more about how some fisheries and farms are working to address these challenges in the following links:

 

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