Women play a vital part in Ghana's fisheries as business owners and fishmongers, yet have little say against the illegal fishing methods that are damaging their livelihoods. This gender report, co-authored by Hen Mpoano and EJF under the Far Dwuma Nkɔdo project, provides a close look at the gender dynamics of the artisanal fisheries sector, and makes recommendations to further empower women. It calls for the strengthening of women's organisations and the provision of leadership training, to build towards greater gender equity.

The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. This is putting its unique ecosystem at risk, and with it the existence of Europe’s only recognised indigenous people, the Sami, who have lived in the Arctic for millennia. Increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather is jeopardising Sami livelihoods and their rights as indigenous people. The Sami have a clear message for decision makers, from the front lines of climate change: now is the time to act.

Transparency must be improved to eradicate illegal fishing and prevent the collapse of Ghana’s fishing industry, says a new report from the Far Dwuma Nkɔdo project, which lays out key measures that can be implemented immediately by the government. Transparency is crucial to provide much-needed accountability in a sector facing unprecedented challenges, as fish stocks plunge to their lowest recorded levels.

This report lays out the ‘ten principles for global transparency in the fishing industry’. These simple, low-cost measures – which include publishing license lists and giving vessels unique numbers – are well within the reach of any country and can play a pivotal role in the battle against illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector.

Transparency in the fishing industry is the best weapon we have against the twin tragedies of illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector. EJF has collated ten simple principles for states to follow.

EJF’s report shows that the global fishing industry suffers from a shocking lack of transparency, allowing Illegal operators to create as much confusion as possible around their identities; escaping detection by changing vessel names; concealing ownership; flying different flags to avoid detection; or removing ships from registers entirely. This report lays out the ‘ten principles for global transparency in the fishing industry’. These simple, low-cost measures – which include publishing license lists and giving vessels unique numbers – are well within the reach of any country and can play a pivotal role in the battle against illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector.

Loss of sharks can lead to dramatic imbalances in marine ecosystems. This is particularly significant in Liberia, where 33,000 people rely on the fishing industry for their livelihoods, and 65% of all animal protein eaten comes from seafood. This report lays out the argument for a Liberian national plan of action for the protection of sharks and rays.

Untersuchungen der Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) haben ergeben, dass rund 90 % der industriellen Fischereiflotte Ghanas Verbindungen zu Eigentümern in China aufweist. Ghanas Gesetze verbieten jedoch ausländische Beteiligungen oder Kontrolle von Schiffen unter ghanaischer Flagge. Die Regierungen Chinas und Ghanas müssen nun zusammenarbeiten: um die weit verbreiteten illegalen Fischereipraktiken in Ghanas industrieller Fangflotte zu unterbinden; für mehr Transparenz; und um Auflagen gegen jene zu verhängen, die die Gesetze zu Eigentumsverhältnissen missachten. Deutsche Zusammenfassung und Empfehlungen basierend auf dem englischen Bericht.