Nonprofits partner up to improve fisheries in developing regions

The organizations say they will use each other’s experience with environmental work and fishery work respectively to employ methods that will “shift fisheries toward more environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and economically viable models,” a release reads. 

“Our strengths in policy reform and capacity development, together with the market and entrepreneurship expertise of Ocean Outcomes creates a powerful alliance that will improve ecosystem stewardship and support sustainable livelihoods globally,” said Dr. Jack Kittinger, senior director of the global fisheries and aquaculture program at Conservation International.

The alliance will apply a three-tiered approach which includes: implementation of effective governance; building community capacities and aligning incentives for sustainable harvesting.

“From a sustainability needs perspective, developing-world fisheries are highly complex,” said Dick Jones, president and CEO at O2. “Approaches which leverage collective tools, strategies and relationships… Broaden the scope of our toolbox so we can collectively better address fishery needs across the globe.”

Conservation International and Ocean Outcomes have been on the ground together in Costa Rica, working to understand and advance improvement of socioeconomic and environmental viability of queen croaker fisheries in the Gulf of Nicoya, the release states. They are also in Suriname, assessing the actions needed to improve the sustainability of small-scale finfish fisheries.