MPAs and food security

Michel Kaiser, IUCN-FEG, noted that food security is not a new issue; highlighted the threat of overfishing; and, said the main mandate for MPAs is conversation, but protected areas also can contribute to food security. Serge Garcia, IUCN-FEG said no-take MPAs tend to restrict access to areas that communities are dependent on for food, resulting in conflict. He highlighted measuring and addressing economic impacts and the importance of bottom-up approaches to ensure that MPAs support food security and livelihoods. On artisanal fisheries, Miguel Ávalos, National Confederation of Artisanal Fishermen of Chile, emphasized: participatory governance for MPAs, including co-management after development of a plan; the value of place-of-origin seals; and, engaging school children. Angélica Méndez, Network of Fishermen, Guatemala, described increasing awareness about the value of MPAs. She highlighted: fishers as guardians; proposals on national managed areas; co-management; and, the need for guidelines that keep fishers working. On artisanal fishers in coastal zones and protected areas, Stefan Gelcich, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, suggested a scalable programme with supplementary revenue to fishers in exchange for management actions that produce verfied and enforced biodiversity benefits