The Ocean and Us

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About half of all those employed in fisheries are women.
They work primarily in post-harvest activities such as
fish marketing and processing and a range of auxiliary
activities but can also have a critical role as financiers
and providers of working capital for the fishing trips.
Poor families can benefit substantially as women’s
engagement in subsistence fishing can bring vital protein
and other nutrients. Small-scale aquaculture can also
be an important activity for rural women in developing
countries as it often takes place close to the home and can
be integrated with other food production and household
activities (UNEP et al., 2012).
Social Cohesion
Marine ecosystem services of all types can also
contribute to the development of peaceful and inclusive
societies by fostering the creation of social institutions,
trust and reciprocity between beneficiaries (SDG16
promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable
development, provide access to justice for all and build
effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all
levels). Coastal communities that jointly manage their
marine resources tend to benefit further from these
social relationships. This is a two-way relationship, in
which the availability of marine ecosystem services helps
to develop social cohesion and the strength of social
cohesion ensures the conservation and management of
marine ecosystems. A recent study in Madagascar shows
that traditional communities place a high value on the
social institutions used for managing marine resources
(Barnes-Mauthe et al., 2014).
Poultry
Wild fi
sh
Mutton
Beef
Farmed
fish
Por
k
2011
1950
13.4 Kilogrammespercapitaperyear
6.8
7.6
6.2
1.7
1.8
0.2
9.0
15.8 13.4
9.0 13.6
1.9
World Animal
Protein Production
Source: Earth Policy Institute, Data Center,
Gender Equality & Peaceful and Inclusive
Societies
SDG5: Achieve gender equality and empower all
women and girls
SDG16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
for sustainable development, provide access to
justice for all and build effective, accountable and
inclusive institutions at all levels
Women and Girls
Around the world, the role of women and men differ
with respect to the marine environment, especially in
lower income countries. And yet, there are many places
worldwide where a healthy marine ecosystem can provide
opportunities for women and girls (SDG5 achieve gender
equality and empower all women and girls).