World Fisheries day 2013, November 21

World Fisheries day is celebrated every year on November 21 throughout the world by the fisherfolk communities. This day is celebrated through rallies, workshops, public meetings, cultural programs, dramas, exhibition, music show, and demonstrations to highlight the importance of maintaining the world's fisheries. World Fisheries Day helps in highlighting the critical importance to human lives, of water and the lives it sustains, both in and out of water. Water forms a continuum, whether contained in rivers, lakes, and ocean.

Join the Forum : Discussions on World Fisheries Day.

 From Sea to Source : Internationa Guidance for the restoration of fish migration highways.

• Better work conditions, special fund part of World Fisheries Day(Source: Vatican Radio)

 Under the 'Voices of Fishers' project conducted in relation to the development of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security , the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) produced a number of testimonies from fishing communities. Members from fishing communities around the world were asked to talk about their perceptions on issues relating to tenure and rights over fisheries and riparian lands on which they live.

 A selection of these from India, Panama, South Africa, Spain and Thailand is made available:

Voice of Fishers -- Thailand

Voice of Fishers -- Spain

Voice of Fishers - India

Voice of Fishers -- South Africa 

Voice of Fishers - Panama

World Fisheries Day - November 21

Why Care about Fisheries?

- Fisheries and aquaculture employ more than 43 million individuals worldwide.
 - More than 25% of the world’s dietary protein is provided by fish.
- The human population consumes over 100 million metric tons of fish annually.
- Each year the Canadian fishery lands over 1 million metric tons of fish valued in excess of 2 billion dollars.
 - Globally, annual fisheries exports are valued at 85 to 90 billion dollars.
- Pollution continues to threaten water quality and fish habitat. All natural fish stocks today contain trace amounts of mercury.