Event: Towards an inclusive blue economy
On 25-26 February 2019 IIED will host a meeting in London that will bring together ocean experts, policymakers, fisheries associations, business and civil society representatives and stakeholders to consider strategies for developing national economies that protect marine resources and people's livelihoods and make sure that the benefits of the ocean are shared equitably.
The meeting will look at issues such as inclusive governance of the high seas, the true economic value of small-scale fisheries, and fiscal policies and governance issues relating to marine and coastal ecosystems. It will consider how to ensure that policies and practices do not negatively impact marine life or people.
This meeting is part of IIED's wider project work on moving towards an inclusive blue economy.
Issues for discussion
The high seas
The ocean brings many benefits: it plays a part in regulating our climate, it is a rich source of food and other natural resources. But in areas beyond national jurisdiction it is a free for all. There is no governance system and widespread misuse of an ocean that belongs to everyone. We could all play a role in being stewards of the high seas – what is needed to make that possible?
Fiscal policies for sustainable management of fisheries
How does this connect to sustainable management of the ocean within a nation’s jurisdiction? Whaclt fiscal policies can be developed and implemented through tools such as taxes, fees and subsidies? We want policies that deliver a positive outcome for the environment and people, particularly those involved in the small-scale fishing sector.
Natural capital accounts for small-scale fisheries
And if new policies are needed and business practice must change, how can we gather and use data in a convincing and meaningful way to help government and the private sector to understand the value of the small-scale fishing sector? Without that understanding both people and the environment may suffer and opportunities for a sustainable life below water and on land will be missed.
Speakers and contributors
The meeting is highly participatory and will feature a range of contributions, from international experts on ocean governance and people working with small-scale fisheries, to researchers looking at how fisheries fiscal policy could be reformed to benefit everyone. Contributors include:
HE Ms Saida Muna Tasneem, Bangladesh High Commissioner to UK
Prof Rashid Sumaila, director, Fisheries Economics Research Unit, University of British Columbia
Editrudith Lukanga, executive director, Environment Management and Economic Development Organization (EMEDO), Tanzania; Secretary general, African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFishNet)
Dr Ekaterina Popova, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton
Dr William Cheung, director (Science), NF-UBC Nereus Program; principal investigator, Changing Ocean Research Unit, University of British Columbia
Rémi Parmentier, director, The Varda Group
Lena Westlund, International Fisheries Analyst, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Glen Wright, research fellow in international marine policy Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI)
Andrés Cisneros-Montemayor, Program Manager and Research Associate with the Nereus Program at the University of British Columbia
Anca Leroy, lawyer and policy advisor, Ministry of Environment, Government of France
Louise Heaps, head of blue economy, WWF
Outline programme
| Monday, 25 February | |
|---|---|
| 12:30 | Registration and lunch |
| 14:00 | Session 1: Welcome, introductions and who's in the room Welcome – Andy Norton, director, IIED Stories from the floor – what the inclusive blue economy means to me: Keynote speaker: Isabella Lövin, Minister for Environment and Climate, Deputy Prime Minister, Sweden (recorded) |
| 15:00 | Session 2: The high seas: how can we govern half of the planet for the benefit of all the world’s people? Moderator: Essam Yassin Mohammed, head of blue economy, IIED, with Ekaterina Popova, William Cheung and Anca Leroy. Followed by questions from the floor |
16:00 | Coffee break |
| 16:30 | Session 2, continued Table discussions: Question 1: what does a fair and equitable legally binding instrument to govern ABNJ look like? Question 2: what would happen if nations fail to reach an agreement to establish a legally binding instrument? What’s at stake? Summing up — Glen Wright, research fellow in international marine policy, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) |
| 17:25 | Session 3: Wrap-up: Looking ahead to Day 2 |
| 17:30 | Drinks reception |
| Tuesday, 26 February | |
|---|---|
8:30 | Coffee and pastries |
| 9:00 | Session 4: Winners and losers: what fiscal tools can make fisheries work for the environment and people? Provocations We need more subidies not fewer! Editrudith Lukanga, Executive director, Environment Management and Economic Development Organization (EMEDO), Tanzania; Secretary general, African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFishNet) Who are the winners and losers? Professor Rashid Sumaila, Fisheries Economics Research Unit in the Global Fisheries Cluster, University of British Columbia Followed by table discussions |
10:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:00 | Session 4, continued Plenary: key messages from table discussions Respondents’ panel: Moderator: Andrés Cisneros-Montemayor, program manager and research associate with the Nereus Program at the University of British Columbia • Eugenia Merayo, researcher, IIED |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 | Session 5: No hidden catch: how can data help us to understand the value of small-scale fisheries in national economies? Presentations using the ‘PechaKucha’ rapid presentation technique: • Irene Alvarado-Quesada, coordinator, Environment Statistics Unit, Economic Division, Government of Costa Rica Followed by table discussions |
| 15:15 | Coffee break |
| 15:45 | Session 6: Next steps and closing World Café: what’s next – putting it together Keynote speaker – HE Ms Saida Muna Tasneem, Bangladesh High Commissioner to UK |
| 17:00 | Event close Laura Kelly, director, Shaping Sustainable Markets Group, IIED |