Progress report for
Addressing the causes of aquatic wild meat for sustainable development
Achievement at a glance
Running parallel with the commitment to the AAWP OceanCare has launched a major, multi-year project to collect information about the rise in levels of aquatic wildmeat consumption in Benin, Togo and Ghana, the drivers for this rise, the impacts to local fishing communities, and to support West African governments to address the ecological and human health impacts of aquatic wildmeat consumption in the region. This work is being delivered in partnership with the Benin Environmental Education Society (BEES), and with the support of the CMS ScC Aquatic Wildmeat Working Group.In the run-up to and during CMS CoP13 in February 2020, OceanCare has raised awareness about the consequences of local fish stock exploitation by international fishing fleets on fishing communities in West Africa. At a Side Event during CMS CoP13, opened by the CMS Secretariat and officiated by West African dignitaries, the event was a co-presentation from governments and civil society, including Benin, Togo, Ghana, Senegal, BEES and OceanCare. The preliminary survey, Aquatic Wildmeat in the Coastal Regions of Benin and Togo: A Study of Consumption and Drivers, was presented and Parties discussed the implications of the survey findings as well as the international support needed to address this issue. Opportunities to build strong partnerships between coastal communities to address manage their resources and find sustainable livelihoods, as well as the role of the CMS regional instruments (turtles, aquatic mammals, sharks, AEWA) were explored. Recommendations for CMS CoP13 pertaining to a regional action plan were developed. Such regional action plan is to address the problem, also taking into account socio-economic aspects in order to improve the living conditions of the local population.
Challenges faced in implementation
The continued overexploitation and illegal fishing activities off Western Africa and that the Aquatic Wild Meat problem along the very diverse coast requires a holistic and diversified approach.Due to finding limitations so far we could do an assessment only in three countries (Benin, Togo, Ghana).
Beneficiaries
- Marine ecosystem
- Local people
- Endangered, threatened and protected species.
- Decision makers and MEAs
Actions
Continue to engage in the Abidjan Aquatic Wildlife PartnershipContinue to engage in Work on the ground (regional assessments and capacitiy building)
Raise the profile within the region and within CMS and Ramsar
Continue to Engage in all relevant MEAs, RFMOs and UN Agencies