Climate and environment
The lives of small-scale farmers are being upended by climate change. They need support to adapt to climate change and to protect the planet’s precious resources
Fisheries and aquaculture - IFAD
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Fisheries and aquaculture
US$3.5 billion
IFAD investments in aquatic livelihoods
IFAD investments in aquatic livelihoods
600 million
earn a living from fisheries and aquaculture
earn a living from fisheries and aquaculture
90%
of global fisheries and aquaculture production is by small-scale producers
of global fisheries and aquaculture production is by small-scale producers
©IFAD/Imani Nsamila
Small-scale fisheries and aquaculture are crucial to inclusive and sustainable rural transformation, contributing to better nutrition and livelihoods while conserving natural environments.
Context
In oceans and freshwater bodies alike, aquatic food systems are under threat. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, disrupting coastal lives and productivity. Water and plastic pollution are affecting aquatic ecosystems. Coastal habitats, such as mangrove forests and coral reefs, are threatened by warming seas and human activities.
Many wild fish stocks are dwindling due to overfishing, illegal fishing and poor fisheries management. While aquaculture, or fish farming, has great potential to reduce poverty and improve nutrition, sustainable growth remains a challenge. Many fish farmers don't have the knowledge or skills to use sustainable practices, while aquaculture still largely depends on wild fish for feed.
With aquatic products degrading quickly, small-scale fishers lose up to a third of their catch. They lack the infrastructure, technology and market access to preserve and sell their products.
Many countries lack policies that promote sustainable development in the blue economy. The potential of public and private sector involvement is rarely realized. Regulation, regional trade, marine spatial planning and incentives to make small-scale aquaculture viable are not in place.
Opportunities
Fish and aquatic products are amongst the richest sources of essential proteins and micronutrients. Moreover, they generally have a lower carbon footprint and impact biodiversity less than most land-based animal-source foods. Sustainable fishing and aquaculture are thus essential components of sustainable food systems.
For hundreds of millions of people, fishing and aquaculture are also for their livelihoods. Compared to larger operations, small-scale producers have a strong incentive to fish sustainably and conserve the ecosystems that are central to their ways of life.
Accessible and affordable fish and aquatic products can help eliminate poverty and hunger. Since women typically play an important part in these value chains, fisheries and aquaculture can help build their incomes and reduce inequalities, while promoting sustainable and resilient food systems.
With access to innovative financial products, like blue bonds, microfinance and climate insurance, small-scale fishers can grow their livelihoods while conserving natural resources. Partnerships, policies and knowledge sharing can promote sustainable practices. Developing infrastructure for storage, transportation and markets ensures that quality aquatic products are produced and sold responsibly.
What IFAD does
IFAD-supported projects provide access finance, value chains and market infrastructure to poor fishing communities. This enables them to earn more from high-quality sustainably caught fish. In Pakistan, for example, an IFAD-funded project builds roads and cold storage facilities so poor coastal communities can sell their catch in markets.
We collaborate with the institutions that manage natural resources, develop policies and disseminate knowledge. Our partners include fishers and aquaculture producers, as well as processors, traders, input suppliers, governments, civil society and the private sector.
Our projects conserve aquatic ecosystems, such as mangroves and seaweeds, which reduce greenhouse gases and improve water quality. In Zanzibar, seaweed farmers are improving the quality of their harvest and introducing labour-saving devices to reduce their workloads.
With our support, small-scale aquaculture producers produce fish economically and in an environmentally sustainable way. By bringing in private investment and access to finance, our projects nurture local aquaculture businesses.
Aquatic foods have the potential to address severe and widespread nutritional deficiencies. We support rural fishing communities to diversify their food systems thereby improving incomes and nutrition. In Eritrea, coastal communities rehabilitate and protect mangroves, selling their catch to their neighbours inland who previously did not consume fish. In Kenya, inland communities are developing freshwater aquaculture to produce fish to eat and sell.
We are active contributors to global processes that promote sustainable aquatic foods, including the Global Action Network for Sustainable Food from the Oceans and Inland Waters, Committee on World Food Security, and the FAO Committee on Fisheries.