Now

is the time to act

We, women, men and youth in maritime and inland small-scale fisheries (SSF) make a major contribution to livelihoods, employment, food security and revenue, and are the most numerous ocean users.

Some of our representatives will be present at Our Ocean conference in Mombasa, to reaffim the priorities of our Call to Action.

As rights-holders of the oceans, we call governments to uphold their commitments* to advance together towards the conservation and protection of the ocean for the welfare of future generations

*These commitments are, among others, the Voluntary Guidelines for the sustainability of small-scale fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication, Sustainable Development Goal 14, the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the conventions on Human Rights.

Our side-events

2030 Reality Check: Youth Leaders and Artisanal Fishers on What’s Working and What’s Blocking Ocean Action

Wednesday 17 June 2026
17h30 - 18h45 (GMT +3)

Pride Inn Paradise Beach,
Black Marlin Room

Mombasa, Kenya

  • Organisers:

    African confederation of artisanal fisheries organisations (CAOPA), Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Coastal Women in Fisheries Entrepreneurship, Afrifish-net, FAO, AU IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD.

    Short description:

    Small-scale fisheries provide a livelihood for millions of people and play a central role in food security, local economies and cultural identity. Young people are turning away from fishing due to limited access to decent jobs, funding, training and decision-making bodies. Young women face even greater structural barriers, despite their vital role in post-harvest value chains.

    This side event will highlight the need for an initiative to position young people – particularly young women – as drivers of sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient transformation in small-scale fisheries.

    Through first-hand accounts from young fishermen and women, the event will demonstrate how youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship and community management contribute to sustainable resource management, climate adaptation and the resilience of local food systems.

    At this co-organised event, CAOPA and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) will present proposals for strengthened commitments to youth inclusion, gender equality, decent work and climate resilience in African small-scale fisheries.

Other events

Note: We are informing about side events where SSF representatives will intervene or attend.

Monday 15 June

9h00 - 17h30
PROBLUE 3rd Global Engagement Forum - Small-Scale Fisheries, Food Security, and Biodiversity in the Ocean

Serena Beach Resort

Tuesday 16 June

10h30 - 13h30
RISE UP working session: Ocean Accountability, Alliance & Action

Royal Shaza Suites

14h30 - 15h45
Side event: The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture: From data to action

Pride Inn Paradise Beach,
Dodori Room

16h00 - 17h15
Side event: Securing our ocean and fisheries: Regional leadership uniting for a transparent and sustainable blue African future

Pride Inn Paradise Beach,
Boni Room

16h00 - 17h15
Side event: Investing in African Women Scaling Africa’s Seafood and Aquaculture

Pride Inn Paradise Beach,
Dodori Room

Wednesday 17 June

13h00 - 14h15
Side event: From Africa to the World: Scaling Fisheries Transparency Reforms

Pride Inn Paradise Beach,
Eco Ballroom

13h00 - 14h15
Side event: Making 30×30 Work: Community-Led Marine Protection Across Africa

Pride Inn Paradise Beach,
Black Marlin Room

17h30 - 18h45
Side event: 2030 Reality Check: Youth Leaders and Artisanal Fishers on What’s Working and What’s Blocking Ocean Action

Pride Inn Paradise Beach,
Black Marlin Room

17h - 19h
Event: Artisanal Stewardship of the Seas: African Leadership for Sustainable Fisheries

Mombasa Continental Resort

Thursday 18 June

8h00
Breakfast briefing: Advancing transparency in fisheries: uncovering beneficial ownership to combat illegal fishing in Africa

Mashua Room, Serena Beach Resort, Mombasa

14h00 - 15h15
Side event: Advancing Africa’s Blue Economy: From Strategic Frameworks to Effective Implementation

Pride Inn Paradise Beach,
Eco Ballroom

THE CALL TO ACTION

PRESS KIT
(only available in English)

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

We call on governments and their partners to build resilient small-scale fishing communities by developing national strategic plans to implement these actions by 2030.

These plans must be adequately funded and guided by the FAO Guidelines to Secure Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries and other relevant regional policies.