Despite ongoing efforts to reduce impacts of the LRFFT, the trade continues to pose major challenges to the future sustainable use of this marine resource.

The LRFFT remains a threat to coral reef ecosystems and biodiversity in the region. Left unchecked, the trade could cause the loss of livelihoods for marine resource-dependent communities, leading to worsening poverty and resource depletion.

The “business model” being reinforced by demand-side traders is clearly economically unsustainable in the long term. Yet, little effort to date has gone into engaging with industry so far. find out more

Aims of the workshop

1. Refine measurable standards of best practices such as the International LRFFT Standard, with the participation and support of all stakeholders, to ultimately facilitate the implementation of such standards; and
2. Explore the use of informal forums or networks to serve as platforms for dialogue and exchange between stakeholders, to help build capacity and opportunities among these stakeholders to better manage the trade.
 

Workshop structure

Day 1: Discovery

The first day will comprise a mix of reviews and outcomes from previous meetings and workshops, along with presentations from technical experts in the LRFFT and from the industry itself. Private sector and supply chain partnerships will be the focus of the afternoon session.

Day 2:  Stimulation and Collaboration

The second day will centre on the need for national and regional collaboration to address key issues, as well as opportunities for market-based initiatives, with a focus on identifying the need and opportunities for multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Day 3: Alignment

The third day will begin the process of delivering a consensus position or “common regional framework” and identifying specific actions and output/outcomes that will feed into other regional work. Strategies on how to move forward with the workshop’s conclusions and recommendations will also be addressed.