While the effects of biodiversity loss may be observed locally, they are increasingly linked with larger scale production and consumption processes at regional, national and international levels. Biodiversity conservation can therefore not be limited to designating protected areas, applying technical solutions with limited scope, or carrying out policy measures on a local scale. Innovative approaches and policy interventions must rather be informed by understanding how markets—notably global markets—determine the impact of agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining and other sectors on local biodiversity.
Tuna is one of the most valuable seafood markets, constituting a quarter of the world’s international seafood value chain. As a result, the sustainability of tuna products—both in terms of stock management and impact on ecosystems—has become an important concern for stakeholders in the industry, which are under pressure from NGOs in the field. But the road to sustainable tuna fishing is long. What are the consequences of the increase in demand on tuna fisheries? How can fishing effort be regulated to maintain healthy stocks? What kind of fishing practices can ensure greater sustainability in the sector? How can third party certification contribute to long-term sustainability?
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Programme
- Diagnosis and framing
Marie Lecomte, Research Fellow: Tuna Value Chain in the Indian Ocean
- Round tables followed by discussion with the audience:
- Sustainability challenges in tuna fisheries
- Under what conditions can certification bring about long-lasting change?
Participants:
° Michel Goujon, Director, Orthongel
° Edouard le Bart, Director France, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
° Fréderic le Manach, Scientific Director, BLOOM Association
° Philippe Michaud, Special Advisor ("Blue Economy") to the Vice-President of Seychelles
Moderator: Teresa Ribera, Director, IDDRI
Conclusion: Yann Laurans, Programme Director Biodiversity, IDDRI
Material
The series of conferences on biodiversity and ecosystems organised by IDDRI and the Fondation d' entreprise Hermès aims to contribute to making biodiversity a real issue for society, by opening up debates beyond purely expert circles.
It was launched with an inaugural conference on 16 February 2010 at the musée du quai Branly (Paris) entitled "Biodiversity 2010 and beyond? ».
