239LMR, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Program overview & vision

Living Marine Resources, Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have played an important economic and social role since a long history of traditional use by local communities. With the significant growth of the fishery sector, coupled with the rapid development of coastal and marine activities today, the living marine resources in the region are facing various threats, ranging from overfishing to degradation of habitats and pollution risks from marine and land-based sources. Climate Change impacts also poses undue risks to the fishery resource and marine environment. Proper management of living marine resources is essential to sustain the livelihoods of people dependent on the resources and maintain the integrity of marine ecosystems and biodiversity, in addition to the significant role of the fishery sector in food security, reducing poverty and building resilience of fishing communities. Therefore, sustainable management of living marine resources interconnects with several development agenda and predictable to play a key role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

Since it has been established through the SAP project in 2001, the PERSGA LMR program has been active in executing multilinked interventions that cover a wide level, ranging from local, to national and regional activities and initiatives in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region. The program mainly undertakes and facilitates LMR assessments and studies, promotion of fishery legislation and policies, action planning and management, capacity building and training, regional coordination and on-the-ground projects, which aim at achieving sustainable management of marine fisheries and aquaculture in the region. Currently, the program especially focuses on supporting implementation of Ecosystem Approach, pursuing Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries and Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture, in harmony with global guidelines and efforts, particularly emphasized by international organizations and relevant SDGs in this regard.

Strategic Objectives and Activities

Based on its vision and approach, PERSGA LMR, Fisheries and Aquaculture program supports regional capacity development and collaboration to achieve the following two main strategic objectives:

  1. Sustainability of the living marine resources and integrity of their habitats and biological diversity, securing ecosystem wellbeing, as well as economic wellbeing of people, both for the present and future generations in the region;
  2. Ensure conservation management, adopting responsible fisheries and aquaculture activities, taking into account all their relevant biological, technological, socioeconomic and environmental aspects.

To achieve these strategic objectives, and considering priorities for the region the LMR Program implements several interventions and activities to develop regional guidelines and support regional capacities addressing the following:

  • Development of LMR strategies, policies and management plans, based on the best scientific information and knowledge available, and consultation with stakeholders;
  • Proper protection, conservation and management measures of biodiversity and critical habitats for living marine resources with particular emphasis on threatened species, marine protected areas and fish refugia;
  • Control overfishing, and Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing;
  • Effective monitoring, control and surveillance measures in fisheries management;
  • Comprehensive Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) policies and effective ESS systems for aquaculture and fisheries activities, infrastructure projects and operations.
  • Control all kinds of pollution from fisheries and aquaculture activities
  • Adoption of ecosystem approach to management of fisheries and aquaculture
  • Raising LMR profiles and contributions to relevant SDGs, such as SDG1 (poverty reduction), SDG2 (food security), SDG3 (health and wellbeing), SDG8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG12 (sustainable consumption and production), SDG13 (climate change), and SDG14 (Life under water).

Gallery

Latest News

PERSGA organized a stand event to promote regional projects on Sustainable Fisheries management and the marine biofouling and Invasive Aquatic Species in Aqaba (Jordan)

PERSGA organized a stand event to promote regional projects on …

Oct 01 ,2024 2m Read
On September 6, 2024, PERSGA held a stand event in Aqaba─ Jordan, to raise awareness and promote regional projects funded …
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Technical Mission on Oil and Chemical Spill Contingency Planning and Preparedness for Maritime Incidents in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Field Visit – Djibouti – March 2024

Technical Mission on Oil and Chemical Spill Contingency Planning and …

Mar 11 ,2024 3m Read
The Regional Organization for Conservation of the Marine Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) received a …
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PERSGA showcased progress and key achievements during the 74th session of the IMO Technical Cooperation Committee meeting (24-28 June 2024).

PERSGA showcased progress and key achievements during the 74th session …

Jun 28 ,2024 2m Read
PERSGA showcased key achievements and progress in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region of global projects and regional …
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Regional workshop on “the MARPOL Convention and the designation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden special areas” held on 8-10 January 2024, PERSGA HQ, Jeddah, KSA

Regional workshop on “the MARPOL Convention and the designation of …

Jan 11 ,2024 8m Read
Background and context of the regional workshop In the wake of the activation of the declaration of the Red Sea …
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