On December 17, 2021, within the margins of PGA’s 42nd Annual Forum, PGA convened the Second Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the Oceans (CAP-Oceans). Lawmakers from PGA’s global membership came together (via video conference) to explore creative solutions to protect the rights and safety of those working in the fishing industry, while at the same time conserving our oceans to build resilience to climate change, maintain essential biodiversity, and support the air we breathe. The momentus event was kindly hosted by the Speaker of the Parliament of Belize, PGA Executive Committee Member Hon. Valerie Woods.
The Second CAP-Oceans marked the launch of two new partnerships under PGA’s Oceans Campaign: a partnership with the Blue Nature Alliance on Marine Protected Areas, Climate Change, and the initiative to protect 30 percent of the oceans in fully/highly protected areas by 2030; and a partnership with the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition to protect oceans from the potentially disastrous effects of deep-seabed mining.
Attending parliamentarians announced strong commitments to engage in these new areas of work, while also highlighting the urgent upcoming deadline for ratification of the International Maritime Organization’s Cape Town Agreement in October 2022. Expert speakers emphasized the important role parliamentarians play in ensuring small-scale fisheries are included in all discussions of sustainable oceans and fisheries. Some highlights from the panelists below:
On the entry into force of the IMO Cape Town Agreement
Belize intends to seek our Cabinet’s approval for ratification of the Cape Town Agreement early in the New Year. This is very good news indeed.” Sen. Osmany Salas, MP (Belize), PGA Member
I recognize the need for bringing into force the Cape Town Agreement, which will establish mandatory global safety regulations for fishing vessels and contribute to ending illegal fishing. I am committing to inquire from the government of Jamaica, through my parliamentary role, the status of Jamaica’s ratification.” Hon. Angela Brown-Burke, MP (Jamaica), Member PGA Executive Committee
I have just now made an inquiry, and I am told that the Cape Town Agreement has far been advanced and is at the Cabinet level. Cabinet will then make a recommendation to Parliament, and ratification will be done. Hon. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, MP (Ghana), PGA Member
Namibia has already consulted with stakeholders, and in the beginning of 2022, a memorandum will be circulated to the Cabinet, and afterwards will be tabled by the Minister to Parliament for ratification of the Cape Town Agreement.” Johannes Muzanima, Chief Ship Surveyor, Ministry of Works and Transport (Namibia)
This is very critical subject matter that affects all of us in different parts of the globe. It is incumbent upon all of us to move towards swift ratification of the Cape Town Agreement in our respective parliaments.” Hon. Wade Mark, MP (Trinidad & Tobago), PGA Member
Through an event organized between PGA and the Malaysian parliament in 2019, there has been a greater platform for SDG 14 and PGA’s Oceans Campaign. I, personally, a person who had not much knowledge or interest on this topic, through PGA have gained a lot of information and this has become a Campaign I am championing through parliament, raising in debates and speeches, and engaging directly with Ministers. This year, I wrote to the Minister of Transport, which is the Ministry in charge of ratifying the Cape Town Agreement. A few days ago, the Malaysian PGA Chapter had our annual meeting and it was highlighted again as one of the most popular topics that MPs would like to champion in 2022’s parliamentary calendar.” Hon. Kasthuri Patto, MP (Malaysia), President of PGA
On Marine Protected Areas and Deep Seabed Conservation:
I am very happy to announce Belize has established an extensive network of Marine Protected Areas representing 23 percent of our territorial waters. Belize has committed to this very ambitious target of realizing 30 percent protection of our ocean space by 2026. The initiative includes a multi-faceted strategy that aims to push for a strong new international treaty to protect marine biodiversity, for marine parks on the high seas, and to push for a moratorium on deep-seabed mining.” Sen. Osmany Salas, MP (Belize), PGA Member
More conversation is needed to make the protection of the oceans a mainstream discussion around the world. We also need to make sure that this topic, including the climate crisis, is put in the agendas of national, regional, and international platforms like PGA’s 42nd Annual Forum. Hon. Kasthuri Patto, MP (Malaysia), President PGA
For Ecuador, the possibility of expanding the marine reserve is essential not only to conserve and preserve marine species, but also because of the importance of the Galapagos, which is a world heritage site. From the Biodiversity Commission, we are also pending the preservation of marine species and we are committed to protecting 30 percent of the oceans by 2030.” Dip. Juan Cristóbal Lloret (Ecuador), PGA Member
We are committed to implementing & accomplishing SDG 14. We must recognize & remember that the effects of climate change and its effect on maritime ecosystems mean that we have to take prompt action. We must guarantee the life of all the species on earth. We need to prioritize the preservation & conservation activities. Dip. Alfredo Pacheco, President of Chamber of Deputies (Dominican Republic), PGA Member
On the livelihoods of fishers:
All fishing rights have to be conducted with legislative provisions which guarantee the rights of all communities, especially the most vulnerable ones. Fishing rights allocations focus too much on big companies while leaving out small fisheries. Hon. Buyisile Mchunu, MP (South Africa)
Parliamentarians have an important role in harmonizing blue finance to benefit low-income coastal communities. We need practical governance regulation, and concrete action. Mr. Xiao Recio Blanco, Director of the Ocean Program, Environmental Law Institute
As we commemorate >the International Parliamentarian Ocean Day [CAP-Oceans] and rigorously campaign for the protection of the oceans and implementation of SDG 14, let us bear in mind that to secure the rights to food, we, as Parliamentarians must conscientiously enact laws that protects the artisanal fish worker and their communities as well as empower them to co-manage the shared resources to ensure continuous access and supply of fish food for posterity. Hon. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, MP (Ghana), PGA Member Chair of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee
I represent a constituency that predominantly represents local fishers, so I do understand and appreciate some of the challenges in terms of balancing. On one hand, we are affected by climate change as water levels rise. We see more calamities, overflooding, reclamation of land. On the other hand, when you try to conserve, because of poverty the local fisherfolk do not want that. There must be a balance involving local communities.Hon. Millie Odhiambo, MP (Kenya), PGA Executive Committee
The artisanal fishing sector has a high social importance, as it is the main source of food and employment for coastal communities, which represent more than two thirds of the Mozambique’s population.And among fisher workers, we also find a significant female participation. When we talk about fishing, it has to be sustainable fishing, which takes into account resources, but also people, partnerships, the planet, etc.” Dep. Catarina Dimande (MP Mozambique), PGA Member
On cooperation for comprehensive sustainable ocean policies:
Blue Economy approach provides economic and social benefits. We believe there cannot be a one-size-fits approach when it comes to protecting the oceans. If we want results, we need to take action yesterday!” Hon. Bernard Georges, MP (Seychelles), Member PGA Excutive Committee
We need to take this opportunity to participate in these discussions & get new inspiration to fight for our common goals and objectives. We, as MPs, can make the difference on many fronts. Ms. Margareta Cederfelt MP (Sweden) Former PGA President
There is so much we can learn from each other on how to protect the oceans and combat democratic backsliding. These are crucial conversations that have given us enough tools to take swift and prompt actions. Hon. Valerie Woods, Speaker of Parliament (Belize), Member PGA Executive Committee
More information on the event, including the list of participants, agenda, and Belmopan Plan of Action can be found here
