Amid major pledges at the third UN Oceans Conference (UNOC3), experts called for reforms to ecolabelling, subsidies, and financing to allow small-scale fisheries to play a vital role in securing ocean sustainability and food security.
UNOC3 drew some 15,000 delegates to the Mediterranean city of Nice, including over 60 heads of state and government. The event was more than twice the size of its 2022 predecessor in Portugal, resulting in tight security, long lines, and an ambitious schedule that tested even hardened conference-goers.
Predictably, the conference prompted a flurry of commitments from governments, intergovernmental organisations, and civil society. Chief among the outcomes was the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a framework to spur global ocean conservation through more than 800 voluntary commitments. Campaigners also welcomed the UK government’s proposal to extend a ban on bottom trawling in more vulnerable marine habitats, which was announced on the first day of the event.
A major highlight was French Polynesia’s landmark pledge to establish the world’s largest marine protected area while securing the livelihoods of local small-scale fishers. Hailed as a significant step forward for ocean conservation, the commitment would see nearly 23% of French Polynesia’s waters protected, including a dedicated artisanal fishing zone where only traditional single pole-and-line methods, from boats under 12 metres in length, would be permitted. Industrial fishing would also be banned in these areas, while the use of drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs) and deep-sea mining would be prohibited across the rest of the country’s waters.
Addressing market access barriers for small-scale fisheries
Small-scale fisheries contribute at least 40% of the world’s total catch and provide 90% of employment in capture fisheries, supporting the livelihoods of nearly 500 million people. Strengthening these fisheries lies at the heart of SDG 14.b, which calls for improved access to marine resources and markets for small-scale artisanal fishers. Among more than 450 side events was a session on this topic organised by IPNLF and co-sponsored by the governments of Indonesia and Somalia, the Sustainable Fisheries and Communities Trust, Fauna & Flora International, and the Too Big to Ignore (TBTI) Global Network.
The IPNLF side event featured keynote speeches from senior representatives of the Indonesian and Maldivian governments, followed by a panel moderated by Dr Maïa Perraudeau, IPNLF’s International Law and Policy Advisor. The panel included experts from national governments, the FAO, small-scale fishery producer associations, academia, and retail.
In his keynote speech, Dr Lotharia Latif, Acting Director General of Capture Fisheries, at Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries set the scene for the panel:
“Despite their importance, small-scale fishers are frequently excluded from supply chains and premium markets. Global fisheries systems continue to favour large-scale operations through trade frameworks and certification regimes—marginalising the very communities that fish most responsibly.”
The Honourable Aminath Hussain Shareef, Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Resources from the Maldives echoed the same sentiments in her speech. “We must align policy frameworks that reward sustainability, equity, and tradition—not penalise them,” she said.
Left to right: Lotharia Latif, Director General of Capture Fisheries, Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries; The Honourable Aminath Hussain Shareef Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Resources for the Maldives; Dr Maïa Perraudeau, International Law and Policy Advisor, IPNLF; Lotharia Latif, Director General of Capture Fisheries, Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries; Martin Purves, Managing Director, IPNLF
The discussions bridged these different perspectives, underscoring the need to build connections between the many layers of actors involved. This includes everyone from small-scale producers, government and agencies, to the various market actors (distributors, exporters, retailers, etc.) and international bodies, such as the FAO.
Growing recognition for the need to update the FAO Ecolabelling Guidelines
Panellists discussed the extent to which ecolabelling has become a precondition of access to high-value markets and called for a review of the FAO Ecolabelling Guidelines. Several participants also shared different ways the current paradigm of ecolabelling schemes favours large-scale industrial fisheries, entrenching market access barriers to small-scale fisheries. Others also shared detailed approaches for ensuring equity between small- and large-scale fisheries in certification schemes.
“Too often, those at the start of the supply chain receive the smallest share of the benefits. We believe it is time to revise global guidelines so that sustainability certifications are accessible, equitable, and reflect the realities of small-scale operations,” Latif added.
There have been key developments in international policy since the FAO Ecolabelling Guidelines were last revised in 2009. Noting that the FAO guidelines contain only a limited reference to small-scale fisheries, IPNLF’s Dr Perraudeau said:
“The limited reference isn’t surprising, given that the ecolabelling guidelines predate both the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and the FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries.”
IPNLF Side event on Addressing Market Access Challenges faced by Small-Scale Fisheries at UNOC3.
Potential role for retail in supporting small-scale fisheries
The panel also discussed the role that market actors could play to ensure market access for small-scale fisheries. Linda Wood, CEO of Community Catch, shared insights into launching a certification standard designed to meet the needs and capabilities of small-scale fisheries.
Nonetheless, panellist Dr Cristina Pita of the Institute of Marine Research in Vigo and the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies at the University of Aveiro emphasised that retailers should not rely exclusively on ecolabels in their sourcing strategies. “Retailers need to explicitly recognise the value of small-scale fisheries in their seafood procurement policies,” she said.
IPNLF’s side event panel. Left to right: Dr Maïa Perraudeau, International Law and Policy Advisor, IPNLF; Mr Abdullahi Abdi Addow, Somalia Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy; Editrudith Lukanga, Environmental Management and Economic Development Organization; Linda Wood, Community Catch; Dr Cristina Pita, Institute of Marine Research, Vigo, Spain/Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro; Carlos Fuentevilla, FAO.
Recognising the relationship between subsidies and market access
The session also underscored the need to end harmful subsidies that disadvantage small-scale fisheries—both in international trade and in certification schemes. The vast majority of fishery subsidies go to industrial-scale operations, contributing to overfishing while further marginalising small-scale fisheries. In contrast, speakers highlighted capacity-strengthening schemes for small-scale fisheries that can incentivise sustainable fishing, improve safety at sea, and promote effective monitoring and enforcement. In view of this, there was a growing consensus on the need to redirect funds away from harmful subsidies for large-scale industrial fisheries and towards low-impact small-scale operations.
Overall, the discussions resulted in three key recommendations:
Harnessing the momentum into action
The discussions were encouraging. But what comes next will depend on our collective ability to transform these words into action. “If we are serious about supporting small-scale fisheries, we need action—real action—on the ground and at all levels: international, national, and market level,” Minister Shareef added.
Making sure that low-impact small-scale fisheries have fair access to markets is central to meeting the goals of UNOC. The status quo can’t continue if we’re to conserve and sustainably rely on the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. We welcome the chance to build more consensus and raise ambition, but the real work starts now.