FishNet: Inspiring action for sustainable fisheries

FishNet started as a Ning community platform in 2013 and later relocated to Facebook. FishNet provided a space to link together researchers, activists, policymakers, academics, fishers and consumers. Followers learned about research and events related to sustainable fisheries, and shared their news with others around the world.

FishNet was first launched at one of the first of IIED's Fish Night meetings, which brought together people from academia, government, conservation and the media to discuss sustainable fisheries and oceans. These events were designed to:

• Demystify complex theories and scientific findings: by making the findings accessible to policymakers and consumers, they can promote informed decision-making and fisheries literacy
• Create space to share hard-earned lessons, and
• Inspire change to create fisheries that work today and into the future.

Fisheries – what needs to change?

Marine ecosystems sustain the livelihoods of millions of people. But world fish stocks are running dangerously low.

We believe there are success stories that need to be shared to encourage a shift from the widespread negative impressions about global fisheries, and promote a positive narrative based on innovation. We also believe there is a traditional gap between policymakers, researchers, producers and consumers that hinders discussion and knowledge sharing. This gap needs to be bridged.

The aims

• Create a positive narrative and put practical solutions and ideas before politics
• Foster the sharing of ideas across borders, explore what fisheries have in common across the world and initiate community-based fisheries management
• Demystify the complex ideas surrounding sustainable fisheries and encourage much-needed dialogue, and
• Increase consumer literacy regarding fisheries and inspire action for sustainable fisheries.