LIFE at UNOC3 – A United Global Voice for Small-Scale Fishers
Reflections from Marta Cavallé, Executive Secretary of LIFE
16 June 2025, Barcelona – The past week, LIFE’s delegation participated actively and passionately at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, joining a broader global delegation of Small-Scale Fishers from every continent. Together, we raised a strong and united voice in defence of small-scale fisheries, reaffirming the “Small-Scale Fishers’ Call to Action” that we first launched at UNOC2 in Lisbon in 2022. This collective declaration is firmly rooted in the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries—a global policy framework that remains central to our advocacy.
Our presence was felt across key panels and plenaries. When Small-Scale Fishers delegates spoke, the energy was undeniable. Through close collaboration with Blue Ventures, the LIFE delegation successfully hosted two impactful screenings of Sea Change: The Future of Fishing, a film produced by ZED. These events provided a powerful platform to highlight the challenges faced by small-scale fisheries within today’s ocean governance landscape. We also participated in a diverse range of events and initiatives, from discussions on EU funding to panels on emerging technologies, as well as engaging directly with a variety of stakeholders. We extend our sincere thanks to Blue Ventures for their trusted partnership, which was instrumental in making these opportunities and impactful engagements possible.
Looking at the international context, at a side-event held on 12 June, Small-Scale Fishers’ representatives from every continent—joined by LIFE’s President, Gwen Pennarun—delivered shared messages loud and clear. The room responded with overwhelming applause, highlighting the emotional and political impact of our united call. We were especially encouraged by announcements from governments such as Costa Rica, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and Ghana, who committed to expanding preferential access zones and co-management arrangements for Small-Scale Fishers in their coastal areas. These are not just policy changes—they are tangible victories for the global small-scale fisheries movement. One particularly moving moment also came from Sandrine Thomas, a fisherwoman from France and member of the LIFE delegation, whose heartfelt speech electrified the audience.
For Europe, the conference marked the unveiling of the European Oceans Pact and a forthcoming Oceans Act. While the Pact represents a welcome move toward a more integrated and holistic vision for our seas, we believe it needs greater ambition. Consolidating existing initiatives is not enough. If Europe is to lead a genuine Blue Economy revolution, it must be underpinned by robust safeguards that protect marine ecosystems and ensure the long-term viability of coastal livelihoods.
We appreciate the Pact’s recognition of Small-Scale Fishers as a priority. But words are insufficient—we urgently need concrete, meaningful measures that provide real prospects for the future of our sector. As part of the upcoming “Small-Scale Fishers’ Implementation Dialogue” announced for November, we will advocate for the development of a binding Action Plan for Small-Scale Fishers in Europe, based on the practical solutions we have already put forward under the Oceans Pact framework.
What we witnessed in Nice this week was incredible: the call of Small-Scale Fishers is not only a call for food security, ocean stewardship, youth engagement, and coastal resilience—it is a legitimate, unified, and unstoppable movement. Across continents and cultures, Small-Scale Fishers’ communities are standing together with one voice—and that voice will not be silenced.
Photo credit @IIMRO
9/4 Brussels, Belgium – LIFE President Gwen Pennarun joined LIFE staff to meet with EU Commissioner Kadis and his team, using the opportunity to address the key challenges facing Europe’s small-scale fisheries.. LIFE presented its vision for a fair and sustainable future for the sector, highlighting how the 2024–2029 European Commission mandate could strengthen support for the small-scale fleet. Pennarun was able to share his professional experience of how opportunities to achieve fair fisheries are being squandered through unfair policies and partial implementation of the CFP, providing the concrete examples of Bluefin tuna, pollack, and seabass. He also highlighted his work to train and guide young fishers into the profession, and how partial implementation of the CFP – notably Article 17 – has led to future generations of fishers being discriminated against, albeit unintentionally. 
8/4 Brussels, Belgium – President Gwen Pennarun and LIFE staff held a constructive meeting with MEP Eric Sargiacomo (S&D) focused on key issues facing small-scale fishers and coastal communities. Sargiacomo expressed strong support for the men and women who take to the sea each day to provide quality seafood, sustain coastal communities, and preserve traditional knowledge. “They provide an indispensable thread in the social fabric that holds our coastal communities together”, he said. The discussion touched on crucial topics including maritime spatial planning, climate change, fishing opportunities, resource sharing, and fisheries governance—all of which require collaborative action moving forward.
27/3 Simrishamn, Sweden – 
With the EU currently reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), discussions focused on the failure to implement Article 17, which calls for transparent and objective quota allocation based on environmental, social, and economic criteria. MEPs and fishers called out the dominance of industrial fleets and the use of “catch history” to allocate quota, and the lack of transparency. They urged that guidelines be established with a binding implementation plan to support low-impact fishers. 
3/3 Brussels – LIFE’s Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé, recently took part in 
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