Second SYDP (SYDP-II) Workshop on Improving the Quality and Value of Fisheries Products for Food Security, Coastal Livelihoods

Fisheries are one of the main resources of the Indian Ocean that provides food to hundreds of millions of people and greatly contributes to the livelihoods of coastal communities. The fisheries sector plays an important role in contributing to food security, poverty alleviation, job creation and also represents huge business opportunities. In 2012, almost 58.3 million people globally were engaged in fish-rearing and harvesting activities, with artisanal fishing comprises 90% of all fishing jobs globally, representing approximately 45% of the world’s fisheries, and nearly a quarter of the world catch. With the continuous increase in the demand of fish and fishery products, it is important to improve the quality and value of these resources by, for example, conserving their nutritional properties and prolong their shelf-life. 

For this purpose, several methods are currently being employed in this process. However, hot climates in developing countries may account for quality deterioration and significant post-harvest losses. Therefore, ensuring the safety and quality of these seafood products is very crucial, which necessitates systematic seafood safety and quality standards.

Somalia and Yemen are among the IORA countries that are attributing high importance to the development of their fisheries sector. In fact, Somalia, with its longest coastline in Africa, has got one of the richest fishing grounds in the continent, which represents huge development and business opportunities. Similarly, Yemen coastal habitats are home for a rich marine resource wealth. Yemen’s fisheries sector is one of the four promising sectors as per the Strategic Vision 2025 and contributes up to 3% share to the country‘s GDP. This sector can potentially contribute to the diversification of the country’s economy that could in turn address the employment issues, thus leading to socio-economic development. However, both countries are facing persistent challenges that impede on the development of their sector.

In this line, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Federation of Indian Commerce and Industries (FICCI), in collaboration with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) will host the Second SYDP (SYDP-II) Workshop on Improving the Quality and Value of Fisheries Products for Food Security, Coastal Livelihoods, on 28 – 29 November 2019 in Kochi, Kerala (State), India. The workshop aims at enhancing knowledge and capacities of participants on ways to improve value and quality of fisheries products through the use of simple methods and technologies in support of developing small-scale fisheries activities and businesses.

The event workshop will bring together experts from various field/sectors and will comprise of several modules including: developing artisanal fisheries: capacity building across the value chain – catch to markets; microfinance and Banking for artisanal fisheries development; regulatory Framework and Participatory Governance: engaged decision making to empower fishermen; and technology as an enabler; Market access strategy for artisanal fisheries.

The workshop is a continuation of the First SYDP Workshop on Banking and Artisanal Fisheries, which was held on 13-14 August 2017 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and was organised by UAE, in collaboration with the IORA Secretariat.  The workshop resulted in several recommendations on the wayforward, which has enabled the IORA Secretariat to identify the theme of the current workshop.

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