WORLDWIDE COASTAL COMMUNITIES DIGITAL MARATHON – Coastal communities from all corners of the world are the lifeblood of an extraordinary cultural and environmental ecosystem. They are an essential pillar for food security, economic development, and cultural preservation on a global scale.
For centuries, fishing has been a primary source of livelihood. Fishing resources of Coastal Communities represented a sustainable source of food, and marine species that were sold on markets were numerous and varied. These resources are both very rich in nutrients, and these are pivotal elements of cultural and food traditions for numerous coastal communities.
Fishing does not only ensure the food supply for local communities, but also contributes to global value chain of food provision. Indeed, local communities’ fisheries exports positively contribute to general food supply at global level.
Considering the economic aspect, the fishing industry is a valuable source of employment and income for millions of people. The fishing supply chain comprehends fishermen, traders, processors, and other actors, creating a network of interconnected economic activities that add value to the well-being of local communities.
Multiple socio-economic sectors are usually related to fishing activity. For instance, coastal tourism by providing job opportunities and economic development, represents an important source of income for fishery-related communities. Furthermore, some of these coastal areas are crucial hotspots for the conservation of marine and terrestrial biodiversity, being the habitats of a wide range of animal and plant species.
Fishing sector is facing a number of obstacles, including overfishing, environmental degradation, and climate change. These challenges threaten not only the sustainability of fisheries resources but endanger the entire collective social and economic fabric.
Good fishing practices, therefore, play a crucial role in addressing these threats and encourage us not to ignore how responsible management of fisheries resources, reduction of environmental impacts, and adoption of sustainable fishing techniques are essential tools for ensuring a lasting future and a better quality of life for coastal communities.
CIHEAM Bari, Coldiretti and the World Farmers Markets Coalition, united in this common goal, are launching for November 21, 2023, World Fisheries Day, the first edition of the “Worldwide Coastal Communities Digital Marathon” a virtual event encouraging dialogue and exchange of knowledge and best practices among coastal communities, fishers, industry experts, policy makers and supporters of sustainable fisheries.
The “Worldwide Coastal Communities Digital Marathon” will explore several relevant issues related to Coastal Communities at global level. Among these topics, the economic and social impact of fisheries sector, good practices of economic diversification endorsed by national programs, and local authorities’ strategies for sustainable fishing practices will be discussed.
Furthermore, the impacts of climate change on fishing activity will be considered. More precisely, mitigation strategies and best practices to preserve coastal communities will be described. During the event it will also be given space for discussion to the management of alien species’ invasion, and women’s integration into the fish value chain.
Additionally, promotion, planning and implementation of sustainable fisheries and diversification will be one of the central topics of the event. The current practices of fishing and the fish value chain in different coastal communities will be described, in order to share knowledge on improvement strategies for life working conditions of fishermen and other actors involved in the sector.
WORLDWIDE COASTAL COMMUNITIES DIGITAL MARATHON
