The role and contribution of small-scale fishers, fish workers, and aquaculturists to the nation is one of the highlights of this year’s international occasions observed by the United Nations (UN).

Declared as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) by the UN General Assembly, 2022 will be an opportunity to showcase the importance of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture for the nation’s food systems, livelihood, culture, and the environment.

Bearing the theme “Small in scale, big in value”, IYAFA 2022 aims to recognize the enormous potential of the small-scale fishing community in promoting transformative changes in the industry in terms of fish production, processing, and distribution. Aside from raising awareness on the role of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, IYAFA 2022 likewise intends to boost science-policy interaction, empower stakeholders to act, and build new and strengthen existing partnerships.

In this line, the UN encourages everyone—from government agencies and private sector companies to the public and even youth—to join hands in making IYAFA 2022 a memorable year. A large number of events are lined up across the world to mark this occasion including exhibitions, cultural performances, contests, panel discussions, and conferences among others.

The IYAFA2022 is being led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN in collaboration with other relevant organizations and bodies of the UN system.

Visit https://www.fao.org/artisanal-fisheries-aquaculture-2022/home/en/ for more information.