| 8. Economics and Social Science |
| 8c. Fisheries trade, environment and women's roles |
Fish represent the fastest-growing food commodity entering international trade. Consequently, fish and fish products are an extremely valuable source of foreign exchange for many countries. However, these benefits have often been obtained at the expense of domestic fish resources, affecting the quality of life in communities with few alternative livelihoods, particularly in developing countries. Stocks of the large tuna species around the world have been strained by fishing pressures driven by the extremely high demand for these fish species in the luxury Japanese fish markets. In many cases, traditional fish dishes are no longer available to local consumers due to the inability of these communities to compete with prices that can be obtained by shipping the fish elsewhere. Export fisheries have also promoted the development of the aquaculture industry, particularly for salmon and shrimp, which are produced to meet the demand from industrial countries for luxury seafood items. This sub-session focuses on the issues associated with fisheries trade.
The fisheries sector is important for the livelihood of millions of people worldwide, and it is usually women who play a key role in both fisheries and communities, as well as in maintaining households. Although their roles are often unacknowledged, women have been active in raising concerns about the quality of life in fishing communities. In addition to supporting local fishing organizations and fisheries development, they have focused on access to healthcare, sanitation and education. This sub-session also highlights women's roles in fisheries by discussing these issues. |
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