Protecting Africa’s Oceans: Why Food Security Must Lead Ocean Policy

The 11th annual Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, marks the first time this global event has convened on African soil. According to Dr. Christina Chemtai Hicks, a Professor at Lancaster University, the conference aims to shift global ocean policy toward food security and the protection of artisanal fisheries to prevent nutrient deficiencies for over 10% of the global population.

Why is the African blue economy shifting toward artisanal fishing?

African nations are prioritizing artisanal fisheries because they serve as the primary engine for local food security and economic stability. Dr. Hicks reports that in some African countries, fish provide more than half of all animal protein consumed by the population.

Unlike industrial operations, artisanal fishers, traders, and processors support millions of households and feed coastal communities through local markets. When these local systems fail, traditional diets are often replaced by cheap, unhealthy imported foods, increasing nutritional vulnerability.

How do inshore exclusion zones combat overfishing?

Inshore exclusion zones protect fish populations by prohibiting industrial and destructive fishing in designated coastal areas. According to Dr. Hicks, evidence shows these zones significantly increase catches for artisanal fishers and help rebuild depleted marine ecosystems.

The trend is moving toward expanding these zones to create a buffer between small-scale local fishers and massive industrial fleets. This shift treats the ocean not as an abstract environmental zone, but as a critical pillar of public health and economic survival.

Industrial vs. Artisanal Fishing: The Impact Gap

The pressure on African marine ecosystems differs sharply depending on who is casting the net. Dr. Hicks contrasts the two models based on their economic and environmental outcomes:

What happens if industrial fishing transparency doesn’t improve?

A lack of accountability in industrial fishing leads to the depletion of resources that African communities rely on for survival. Dr. Hicks notes that many foreign-owned fleets extract enormous quantities of fish with little transparency, often processing the catch into animal feed or supplements for wealthier global consumers.

Without stronger monitoring of fleet ownership and catch data, governments can’t manage their resources. The consequence is a growing food security crisis where fish become scarcer and more expensive for the people who live on the coast.

How will African leadership reshape global ocean policy?

The Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa is expected to push for a “justice-centered” approach to marine conservation. This means moving away from the idea that protecting the environment requires sacrificing human needs.

According to Dr. Hicks, the new direction involves direct partnerships between governments and the people on the water—fishers, traders, and processors. By integrating local knowledge into fisheries management, African nations can build a blue economy that is equitable rather than extractive.

For more on global maritime standards, visit the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN.

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