Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) and Executive Director of the National Consortium for Small-Scale Fisheries Research and Development or Too-Big-To-Ignore (TBTI) Philippines based at UPV, was one of the invited panelists of the Honiara Summit on the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.4 in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from 24-27 February 2025. The summit was organized by the Government of the Solomon Islands and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), in close collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean.
SDG 14.4 highlights the critical role of the fisheries sector in promoting sustainable development, improving livelihoods, and supporting the economy. Over 300 delegates from 28 countries attended the three-day summit.
Dr. Ferrer was one of the panelists in the session on “Supporting coastal fisheries sustainability through management action” (Session 6), along with Dr. Melita Samoilys (Director of CORDIO East Africa, Mombasa, Kenya), Dr. Joeli Veitayaki (Blue Prosperity Fiji Strategic Adviser, Fiji), Mele Ikatonga Tauati (Small-Scale Fisheries Officer, Fisheries & Aquaculture Division, FAO, Rome), Dr. Jeremy Prince (Founder, Biospherics Pty Ltd, Perth, Western Australia), Keobel Sakuma (Interim Deputy Director, Micronesia & Polynesia Chapter, TNC), and Watisoni Lalavanua (Community-Based Fisheries Adviser, FAME, Pacific Community). The session was facilitated by Dr. Neville Smith (Director of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems at the Pacific Community SPC).
Dr. Ferrer shared about the context of small-scale fisheries in the Philippines and how the sector plays an important role in the everyday lives of Filipinos. The two leading questions touched during Dr. Ferrer’s message were (1) proven sustainable actions and innovations and (2) critical gaps that constrain the precautionary management of coastal fish stocks in the Philippines.
“The Philippines has examples showing community engagement, responsible fishing practices, and innovative governance mechanisms that are essential to achieving sustainable small-scale fisheries. On the other hand, there are also critical gaps constraining the precautionary management of coastal fish stocks in the Philippines. Addressing these critical gaps requires stronger science-based management, better law enforcement, integrated policy implementation, and socio-economic support for the fishers. By closing these gaps, the Philippines can ensure the long-term sustainability of its coastal fish stocks and protect the livelihoods of millions who depend on them,” Dr. Ferrer added in her message.
As a key technical meeting, the summit aimed to advance the implementation of SDG14.4, which focuses on the sustainability of marine fishery resources. Specifically to: (1) examine progress to date on SDG 14.4.1 status and report progress at global, regional and national levels based on FAO Reports and custodianship data, updates in the FAO Stock Status methodology, and ongoing RFMOs/RFABs analyses; (2) share knowledge and experience on fisheries sustainability, management, and development; (3) identify knowledge and data gaps, challenges to close these gaps, and strategies and policy actions to do so, including for coastal fisheries; (4) provide an opportunity to align narrative, strategies and relevant policy actions at all levels in the build-up to the 3rd UN Ocean Conference; (5) align SDG14.4 messages and priorities about the implementation of the UN BBNJ Agreement, The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, and the CBD Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework; and (6) reaffirm the need for engagement of all stakeholders, their respective roles and a strong call for collaboration among all actors.
The summit also featured a technical declaration, which emphasized the priorities and challenges of Small Island Developing States and reflected the perspectives of a broad range of international stakeholders. The declaration will contribute to discussions at the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2025.
Dr. Ferrer’s travel to attend the Honiara Summit was funded by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Japan.
