Both fishery improvement project, or FIP and fisheries certification will improve the value of fisheries products and ensure the sustainability aspect of the fisheries activities that include stock, environment and fisheries management. Implementation of these initiatives will impact the small-scale fisheries and coastal communities that depend on their life on fisheries resources.
What is Fishery Improvement Project
A fishery improvement project, or FIP, is a multi-stakeholder effort to improve the sustainability of a fishery. While FIPs vary in scope and nature, to be considered as such, a FIP must meet a number of requirements pertaining to participation, funding, transparency, and scientific rigor. By 2015, there were over 80 fishery improvement projects around the world, representing approximately 10% of the current wild seafood production By 2021, at least registered at FisheryProgress.org Council, there are more than 130 functional FIPs around the globe.
FIPs bring together an alliance of seafood buyers, retailers, processors, suppliers, producers, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with an interest in a specific fishery to encourage improvements in policy and management at the government level. At the same time, FIPs provide motivation for changes to be made to working practices at the fishery level, minimizing issues such as illegal fishing, by-catch, and environmental impacts.
What is Fisheries Certification
Fisheries Certification is one of the eco-label standards used in the fishing industry. The application of this certification is used so that the business practices carried out do not damage the environment. The application of the Eco-label was born from the concern of various parties with environmental issues who want the implementation of fisheries based on sustainability.
The main objectives of fisheries certification are to regulate the fish population and stock, capture strategy, and use of fishing gear. This is to minimize the environmental impact and protect marine habitats. Fishing operations need to be managed to maintain the structure, productivity, and diversity of the ecosystem.
Impact on the Fishery and Community
Sahabat Laut Lestari with Fisheries and Community Work, implementing FIP and fisheries certification on the ground from Identifying a fishery that needs improving, forming the FIP, evaluating the fishery, developing a work plan, creating a reporting system, and implementing the FIP or certification program.
By implementing fishery improvement projects and certification work on the ground, we meet all stakeholders on the fishery supply chain from government, industry, and especially fishers communities. We develop a unique approach that includes technology implementation to ensure that the project implementation could improve coastal communities’ livelihood.
