Wednesday, September 30, 2026

The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) hosted the World Bank mission to support implementation of Phase 1 activities (2022-2026) of the Sustainable Fisheries Development Program for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SFISH) and to prepare the Phase 2 project (2027-2031) under this program, which PERSGA is implementing in cooperation with substantial support from the World Bank.

The mission, which included a team of technical experts from the World Bank program and PERSGA, held a series of meetings during September 28-30, 2026 using remote communication technologies. The meetings discussed progress achieved and lessons learned, and built upon these findings to design and implement the new Phase 2 project (SFISH 2).

Activation of Regional Protocol and Fisheries Governance

Progress was reviewed on achievements by the Phase 1 project (SFISH 1) in developing and adopting the Regional Protocol on Cooperation in Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, and on the protocol’s validation by several member states as an important regional mechanism within the Jeddah Convention framework. The project also created several tools to support implementation of this mechanism. Discussions emphasized the need to build on progress achieved during Phase 1 through evidence-based initiatives in Phase 2.

Fisheries Statistics and Data-Based Management

PERSGA’s expert team presented results advancing fisheries statistics through Frame Surveys and a biological data collection program for selected species. This evidence-based assessment provided a strong foundation for designing Phase 2 interventions for the project, which will include program expansion and technical support to promote and sustain fisheries monitoring and fishing activities.

Regional Information Management System and Knowledge Management Operations (RIMS)

One of the most significant achievements of Phase 1 was the Regional Information Management System (RIMS) and its evolution toward full operational effectiveness. PERSGA’s data management experts reviewed Phase 1 accomplishments of RIMS, including development using open-source technology, training of more than 100 experts from all member states, and establishment of a unified regional data standard. Phase 2 will expand this system through addition of intelligent dashboards displaying data according to functional role, creation of AI-generated reports, and proposals to add an online knowledge base with multilingual training modules and development of mobile applications to support field data collection. The team agreed that RIMS represents the operational foundation for evidence-based fisheries management in the region and should be established as a permanent regional asset independent of external support.

Environmental Protection and Ecosystem Restoration

PERSGA’s environmental protection specialists presented Phase 1 achievements from SFISH in preparedness for handling oil spills and hazardous and toxic substances, including updated emergency response plans and modeling systems successfully deployed during recent maritime emergencies. Additionally, restoration priority mapping identified 395 potential restoration sites in mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, with 38 sites designated as priority locations for investment. Phase 2 will build on this work through integration of geospatial data into RIMS to support ecosystem-based management decisions with deepened country-specific assessments.

Aquaculture Development and Climate Resilience

The project team presented guidelines developed for implementing Article 10 of the protocol addressing pollution control, ecosystem protection, and biosecurity in aquaculture, alongside proposed interventions for improving climate-smart fishing and aquaculture. Discussions emphasized the need to focus on achievable and practical outcomes that address concrete challenges facing fishing communities, including rising operational costs, unavailable cold storage facilities, and enforcement gaps in marine protected areas. Phase 2 will focus on selected sites for targeted on-the-ground capacity building.

Communications and Community Engagement

PERSGA’s communications and outreach team reviewed Phase 1 achievements, including workshops and campaigns that engaged more than 1,200 participants. Phase 2 plans will focus on direct engagement with fishing communities through social media and awareness in local languages, emphasizing practical solutions such as fishing gear recovery programs. The team emphasized the importance of translating project investments into tangible benefits for fishers and their families to ensure long-term sustainability.

Strategic Direction for Phase 2

The mission concluded with agreement on key principles for designing Phase 2: establishing a defined scope focused on high-impact interventions that emphasize evidence-based management supported by enhanced fishing statistics and RIMS data, strengthening integration of aquaculture and climate resilience priorities, and positioning PERSGA as a leading regional institution for operating the cooperative mechanisms established in Phase 1. The team agreed to advance the project’s development goal through promoting regional cooperative fisheries management and enhancing capacity for sustainable production and economic opportunities across the fisheries value chain.