Coming together to protect the oceans and those who depend on them – Impressions from the Marine and Coastal Forum in Bissau

In late April, the Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone hosted the 11th edition of the Marine and Coastal Forum in Guinea-Bissau, bringing together a host of actors working for the protection and restoration of the oceans and the safeguarding of populations negatively impacted by the blue economy. Apart from scientists and civil society, decision makers also attended, among whom the President of Guinea-Bissau and several ministers from countries across the region.  

The conference hosted various events spanning a wide range of topics, and although only reserved a small space in the overall agenda, we made sure to address the problems of fish farming and this industry’s rapid global expansion. It baffles us how the role of aquaculture keeps being portrayed as a spotless solution in the transition to a sustainable food system. A former Fisheries Minister from Mauritania, invited to speak of his countries role in conservation efforts and sustainable fisheries, almost got away with not mentioning his country’s massive expansion of fishmeal and fish oil factories over the past decade until put on the spot by a Mauritanian CSO referring to this industry’s devastating impacts on marine life and coastal communities. Unfortunately, this intervention was left without comment by the official. 

We did not miss the opportunity to present our work along with the partners of the Our Fish project at a dedicated side event. Our coalition made sure to highlight the dramatic decline in small pelagic fish stocks in the region, illustrate the problems this causes for local communities and how the global fish farming industry, at the example of salmon farming in Europe, is driving the needless destruction of marine life and people’s livelihoods. The audience’s reactions supported our message and appreciated the facts and figures we shared as they allow them to spread the message and join our advocacy efforts. 

Venturing out to Bissau’s fishing port, we see a familiar sight from across the West African coast: Chinese funded and built infrastructure as well as a refrigerated storage facility taking up a sizeable portion of the small port, and placards displaying the support of the EU in the context of the EU-Guinea-Bissau fisheries partnership agreement in force since 2019 which gives access to EU member states to fish in Bissau-Guinean waters for around 15 million euros a year. The agreement includes the fishing of small pelagics. 

Although disappointed by the uncritical embracing of aquaculture by institutions like the World Bank during the conference, we left Bissau encouraged by the Forum’s Declaration issued after the conference as well as the myriad initiatives labouring to protect marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them, making sure that producing aquatic foods does not harm people or the planet.