Small-scale fishing communities accuse world leaders of prioritizing corporate interests over protecting their livelihoods at the UN Oceans Conference. Small-scale fishermen and women in coastal nations provide more than half of the fish consumed worldwide; however, the international community fails to recognize their contributions to food security and ocean protection. Suzanne Njeri, Vice President of the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network, states that coastal fishing communities are sidelined in these discussions. She emphasizes that they must combat malnutrition while also protecting their communities. These communities witness firsthand the damage that corporate interests and climate change inflict on fish breeding grounds, yet policymakers are not listening. In 2022, fishing communities issued a global call to action, urging governments and international organizations to secure preferential access to and increase co-management of coastal areas, ensure the participation of women, and expand support for addressing climate change impacts on coastal regions.
