SUSTAINABLE
FISHERIES

MAKING SUSTAINABLE FISH THE BEST CHOICE

Like many coastal countries, the fisheries sector is an essential part of Cabo Verde's social and economic landscape, playing important roles in strengthening food security, job creation, and poverty reduction. Over the last decade, declining stock and increasingly unpredictable seasonality has left the sector extremely vulnerable to exploitation.

With support from the Global Environmental Facility's Small Grants Programme, Project Biodiversity has launched "Sustentável, do Mar ao Prato", an island-wide awareness campaign aimed at engaging every part of the fisheries supply chain - from the fisher to the consumer - to make more sustainable choices when it comes to the fish they catch, sell and eat.

The campaign's message brings into focus the importance of adhering to catch size for popularly consumed species of fish. Though the target species is the grouper, the campaign also highlights the minimum size of other fish including mackeral, scad and seabream.

A STRONG NETWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES

As a deeply inter-connected sector, good fisheries management requires cooperation throughout all parts of the supply chain. By building a strong network of fishers, buyers, and consumers committed to sustainability, we can help support the recovery of exploited fish stocks while continuing to support local livelihoods.

Fishers and fishworkers are the front lines of the sustainability supply chain. We're working together with local groups to support adherence to minimum catch size for target species. This participatory system will help the recovery of fish stock and the sustainability of artisanal fisheries.

Restaurants and independent sellers of local fish catch are what connect consumers to the species of fish that are on their plate. This initiative encourages a stronger link between fishers and buyers to ensure greater tracing and transparency of where the fish are sourced.

The consumer is the final stop in the supply chain and an essential component to encouraging more sustainable behaviours. Through different forms of engagement, this initiativeaims to inspire consumers to think more critically about what goes on their plate.

COLLABORATING FOR GOOD FISHERIES GOVERNANCE

To achieve long-term success, sustainable fisheries management requires engagement in all areas of the sector. In addition to collaborations with fishers, buyers, restaurants, and communities, we're working with maritime authorities to strengthen capacity in fisheries law to support better enforcement and more transparent monitoring. Through this comprehensive collaboration, we aim to implement an integrative fishing model that tackles the most pressing socio-environmental and economic challenges.

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN FISHERIES

Projeto Empodera is an initiative implemented by Project Biodiversity and funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) to build capacity among the peixeiras - or women fish workers of Sal through a series of workshops in financial management, food safety and handling, and leadership. In an effort to strengthen the connection between sustainable fisheries and women's livelihoods, Project Biodiversity works closely with the participating women of Projeto Empodera to integrate and adhere to the sustainable fishing guidelines outlined in the campaign.