Community-based Fisheries Dialogue

What?

The Community-based Fisheries Dialogue (CBF Dialogue) is an annual regional dialogue that began in 2021 and is led by civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors (NSAs) actively involved in community-based fisheries in the Pacific region. To implement the decision made by the Pacific Island Forum Leaders in September 2016 regarding coastal fisheries, the Regional Fisheries Ministers endorsed the CBF Dialogue as a regional mechanism to enhance the engagement of CSOs and other NSAs on coastal fisheries matters.

Why?

The purpose of the CBF Dialogue is to provide a platform for CSOs and other NSAs, including local communities to:

Provide advice on key needs and issues associated with coastal fisheries resources across the Pacific Island region by informing regional fisheries ministers and Pacific leaders about priority issues associated with the sustainable access and use of coastal fisheries resources.
Exchange knowledge, experiences and lessons from community-based fisheries initiatives to strengthen efforts to maintain productive and healthy ecosystems, and their associated fisheries resources, which are critical to the wellbeing of over 10,000 coastal communities in Pacific Island countries and territories.
Foster dialogues with governments and partners on the sustainable management of coastal fisheries resources in the Pacific region.

How?

The Community-based Fisheries Dialogue Advisory Group (CBFD-AG) is a governing body overseeing the annual implementation of the CBF Dialogue. Their responsibility is to advise the Pacific Community (SPC) on the operational aspects of the CBF Dialogue each year. This includes setting the agenda, selecting participants and appointing the convenor and vice-convenor. SPC’s Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) division through its Community-based Fisheries Unit, provides secretariat support to both the CBFD-AG and the CBF Dialogue itself.