IS-AR-FIS

Small islands, and especially oceanic ones, are particularly vulnerable to stressors such as climate change and variability, high levels of overfishing at local scales, long-term coastal tourism impacts and other increasing anthropogenic activities threatening coastal habitats and resources, impairing or compromising the function or productivity of the local marine ecosystems.

Oceanic islands have low functional redundancy and ecosystem functions and services are high vulnerability to diversity loss or overfishing. Even, small declines in biodiversity or in the key species state (density, size, and biomass) may result in large reductions in secondary production and seafood provision. These biological systems are also highly vulnerable to socioeconomic changes, that also connect with environmental ones.

On the other hand, data scarcity in small-scale and recreational fisheries hinders the effective management of marine resources. This is particularly true within small island developing states, that often have limited capacity for monitoring activities that could support policy decisions. Furthermore, the lack of information and training, even in developed areas, prevents correct decision-making and collective action of co-responsible management, which increases the vulnerability of natural systems to management failure that are difficult to identify and correct effectively. And at this point different context of decision and social organization (centralized systems or community-based), could give different approaches to resource management and reinforce the ecological system resilience, but also to conflict resolution and avoidance.

The symposium will be held back-to-back with the VIII International Symposium on Marine Sciences joining hands celebrating the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022) and becoming an excellent opportunity for networking. 

We aim to discuss the importance of the sustainable use of marine resources in island systems and the rôle of artisanal and recreational fisheries to develop conservation strategies in order to protect islands marine ecosystems and ecosystem services.

The ISARFIS is currently inviting submissions of abstracts for regular and speed talks, as well as posterpresentations. Please contact the convener for detailed information. Deadline is the 1st of May 2022.