Resource Library

The Coastal 500 is the largest global network of Mayors and local government leaders committed to work towards thriving and prosperous coastal communities. They are united on recovering and sustaining coastal seas, sharing best practices and key lessons worldwide. It aims to help all members achieve sustainable fisheries that build community prosperity while safeguarding the environment.

Smart reserve design should account for the interconnected nature of marine habitats and the movements of fish species. Rather than a single reserve, Fish Forever advocates networks of reserves across multiple communities to improve environmental and economic benefits. Local participation, such as through local management bodies, in selecting these areas is critical to their long-term success.

In order to improve a community’s resilience to climate change, the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) identifies climate-related threats and recommends actions that individual communities can take to better prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Fish Forever’s strategy is to build the capacity of management groups to ensure transparent, equitable and representative decision making for local fisheries that reflect the wishes of constituent communities and stakeholders.

The tool below summarizes information collected through the Fish Forever Household Survey (HHS). The HHS contains defined-answer questions assessing respondents’ livelihoods, engagement with the local fishery, resilience to economic shocks, social capital, knowledge of fishing regulations, attitudes toward fisheries management, participation in fisheries management, and perceptions of current management approaches.

Fisheries production data is collected through the OurFish digital fisheries data collection app. The OurFish app allows buyers to self-report the types, quantities, and costs of fish purchased from community fishers. Buyer reporting will help reveal the size of the local market and provide data on the scale of harvest. The repeated collection of buyer data will provide data on seasonal variations and long-term trends, serving as an early warning system for fishery decline.

This ecological monitoring tool provides access to habitat and fish population data collected through standardized underwater visual surveys. Use this tool to evaluate trends and changes in critical habitats and species.