The UNFCCC entered into force on 21 March 1994. Today, it has near-universal membership. The 198 countries that have ratified the Convention are calle

More than 120 NGOs ask the UN to include sustainable aquaculture and fisheries in the climate fight

WORLDWIDE
Friday, April 07, 2023, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

A total of 121 organizations, including the Spanish AnimaNaturalis, Equalia, Faada, have signed a joint letter sent by the Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Cmnucc ) to integrate sustainable aquaculture and fisheries into climate mitigation and adaptation policies.

The letter was forwarded to the Koronivia Joint Task Force on Agriculture (KJWA), a UNFCCC platform that aims to address the impact of climate change on agriculture and promote climate-resilient and low-emission agricultural practices.

It also seeks to identify ways to support smallholder farmers, promote sustainable farming practices, and increase the resilience of farming systems to the impacts of climate change.

Equalia pointed out this Tuesday that, although aquaculture is considered a solution to the demand for food and to reduce the pressure on wild fish populations, it is essential that it be carried out using sustainable practices.

Not in vain, he pointed out that every year around the world about 100 billion fish and 400 billion shrimp are slaughtered, which contribute negatively to CO2 emissions, environmental impacts and risks to public health.

Furthermore, Equalia lamented that many of the farmed fish species are carnivorous, so they need wild fish in their diet and actually further deplete wild populations.

Recommendations

The petition of 121 organizations focuses on making policy recommendations to improve the welfare of aquatic animals, in line with the mandates of the UNFCCC and the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), including including aquatic animals and their animal welfare in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and agri-food policies.

Source: Aquatic Life Institute

Other more specific requests are included under this animal welfare umbrella, such as moving from intensive aquaculture and industrial fishing to extensive aquaculture of non-carnivorous species with a low trophic level and to artisanal-scale fishing.

Likewise, the NGOs ask to promote seaweed aquaculture as a means of economic development and food security for coastal communities, as well as initiate a shift towards plant-rich, healthy and affordable food, in addition to promoting resilient agroecological practices that support small farmers. and to local communities.

The letter also includes a call to ensure local-focused livelihoods in coastal communities by shifting subsidies away from industrial fishing and fish farming towards local artisanal fishing and/or algae and multi-trophic aquaculture.

“We join this global request for the United Nations to accept the close relationship between animal welfare and that of people and the planet. As part of a holistic approach to food systems, we believe that sustainable aquaculture and fisheries play a fundamental role in mitigating and adapting to climate change," said Miriam Martínez, aquaculture manager at Equalia NGO

Martínez concluded: “By incorporating sustainable aquaculture and fisheries into the evolution of agricultural and food systems policies, we can reduce carbon emissions, improve food security and provide an alternative source of livelihood for vulnerable communities.”

Source: La Vanguardia

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print