Halting the decline of biodiversity is crucial to ensure sustainable access to the ecosystem's goods and services, which are fundamental for sustainable livelihoods.
WWF-Guianas facilitated the first National Dialogue for Phase 2 of the Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Development (BIODEV2030) Project in Guyana, focusing on supporting sustainable fisheries and biodiversity integration through comprehensive policy reform.
This initiative, supported by local project partners the Fisheries Department and the Guyana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), brought together a diverse group of national stakeholders. Their role was crucial as they discussed the current policy framework within Guyana’s fishing industry, identified gaps, and proposed reforms and suggestions/improvements that will ensure long-term ecological and economic sustainability.
Participants, who included key representatives from The Diplomatic Community, NGOs, Academia, The Judiciary, Fisheries Coops, and Civil Society Organisations, engaged in working-group sessions to identify the possible areas for policy reform in the fisheries sector and develop criteria for selecting a sustainable fisheries pilot project.
Key takeaways from the sessions were the need for a greater focus on data collection, monitoring, research, and traditional ecological knowledge. Emphasis was placed on efficient communication between stakeholders, especially fishing coops, by providing more analysis and feedback. Additionally, participants in the working sessions discussed developing policies for market expansion and value addition, alternative livelihoods for fisherfolk and technological improvement in sustainable fishing practices.
The BioDev Initiative
With its rich biodiversity and extensive aquatic resources, Guyana has long relied on its fisheries for economic growth and food security. However, unsustainable fishing practices and inadequate regulatory frameworks have posed significant threats to these vital resources. The BIODEV2030 project seeks to reverse this trend by implementing science-based policies and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.
With the recent adoption of the new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity reaffirm their strong ambition to integrate biodiversity into all economic sectors and adopt sustainable practices that support living in harmony with nature.
The BIODEV2030 project initiative aims to contribute to the global and national processes of stopping biodiversity loss by 2030 and restoring biodiversity by 2050 by integrating biodiversity and the services it provides into economic sectors. The project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and coordinated by Expertise France.
Mainstreaming Guyana’s Biodiversity
Phase 1 of the project laid the groundwork by conducting extensive research and analysis of various productive sectors' impacts on biodiversity. This was done through a participatory process involving engagement with various stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and industry representatives. The insights gained from this phase have been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction for Phase 2.
In her remarks to the participants, Aiesha Williams, Interim Conservation Director of WWF-Guianas, said that “phase 2 of the BIODEV2030 project marks a significant step towards sustainable fisheries in Guyana, as it addresses current challenges and paves the way to ensure a future where our nature thrives, this nation develops, and our peoples prosper.”
WWF-Guianas facilitated the first National Dialogue for Phase 2 of the Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Development (BIODEV2030) Project in Guyana, focusing on supporting sustainable fisheries and biodiversity integration through comprehensive policy reform.
This initiative, supported by local project partners the Fisheries Department and the Guyana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), brought together a diverse group of national stakeholders. Their role was crucial as they discussed the current policy framework within Guyana’s fishing industry, identified gaps, and proposed reforms and suggestions/improvements that will ensure long-term ecological and economic sustainability.
Participants, who included key representatives from The Diplomatic Community, NGOs, Academia, The Judiciary, Fisheries Coops, and Civil Society Organisations, engaged in working-group sessions to identify the possible areas for policy reform in the fisheries sector and develop criteria for selecting a sustainable fisheries pilot project.
Key takeaways from the sessions were the need for a greater focus on data collection, monitoring, research, and traditional ecological knowledge. Emphasis was placed on efficient communication between stakeholders, especially fishing coops, by providing more analysis and feedback. Additionally, participants in the working sessions discussed developing policies for market expansion and value addition, alternative livelihoods for fisherfolk and technological improvement in sustainable fishing practices.
The BioDev Initiative
With its rich biodiversity and extensive aquatic resources, Guyana has long relied on its fisheries for economic growth and food security. However, unsustainable fishing practices and inadequate regulatory frameworks have posed significant threats to these vital resources. The BIODEV2030 project seeks to reverse this trend by implementing science-based policies and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.
With the recent adoption of the new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity reaffirm their strong ambition to integrate biodiversity into all economic sectors and adopt sustainable practices that support living in harmony with nature.
The BIODEV2030 project initiative aims to contribute to the global and national processes of stopping biodiversity loss by 2030 and restoring biodiversity by 2050 by integrating biodiversity and the services it provides into economic sectors. The project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and coordinated by Expertise France.
Mainstreaming Guyana’s Biodiversity
Phase 1 of the project laid the groundwork by conducting extensive research and analysis of various productive sectors' impacts on biodiversity. This was done through a participatory process involving engagement with various stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and industry representatives. The insights gained from this phase have been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction for Phase 2.
In her remarks to the participants, Aiesha Williams, Interim Conservation Director of WWF-Guianas, said that “phase 2 of the BIODEV2030 project marks a significant step towards sustainable fisheries in Guyana, as it addresses current challenges and paves the way to ensure a future where our nature thrives, this nation develops, and our peoples prosper.”
