About Us · The Alliance
FishNet Alliance is a network of fishers engaged in and promoting sustainable fishing practices in line with ecosystem limits.
We stand in solidarity against extractive activities in water bodies, including rivers, lakes and oceans.
What we work toward
Our Objectives
Five commitments, held across every member country. Each one is a working objective, not a slogan.
Coast of Africa · The Alliance
Develop a regional and trans-regional strategy for coastal communities affected by the extractive industry; aim for a clean and healthy offshore environment and defend their collective rights.
Promote and facilitate the exchange of information on sustainable fishing practices derived from local knowledge.
Campaign against policies and actions that put the rich biodiversity of offshore and inland waters at risk.
Increase environmental awareness from the regional to the global level.
Establish the relationship between destruction of biodiversity, climate change, human rights violations and the plunder of resources.
What we stand for
Ten principles, held in every water we fish.
This is the Alliance's standing position. Members join by agreeing to it, and campaigns move by it.
A halt to the expansion of extractive activities, like mining and oil and gas, in inland waters and oceans.
Knowledge generation and sharing, to build the capacity of fishers.
A network of like minds who believe in solidarity, dignity and indigenous rights.
Against the use of chemicals and explosives in fishing.
Promotes fishing in consonance with the natural cycles of marine ecosystems.
Exchange visits between members, for solidarity and cross-cultural practice.
Respects diversity and sustainable local knowledge.
Against the indiscriminate displacement of fishing settlements and the sand-filling of creeks and rivers.
Campaigns for fishers' rights to earn a living; presses for justice and compensation.
“What affects one affects all.” The Alliance moves by distributive solidarity actions.
Who are its members?
A movement from below.
The network has its roots in Africa: initially Nigeria, South Africa, Togo and Ghana, and it is open to members worldwide.
The vision is to connect fishers and build a movement from below, to reclaim the aquatic environment and ensure that fishers' opinions count in policy spaces.
Membership is open to fisher folks and fishers' associations who share the core principles of the Alliance.
How the Alliance runs
Coordination of Activities
Activities are coordinated from offices in member countries.
An international steering committee, elected every two years at the General Assembly, is the highest decision-making body of the Alliance.
Each country has a coordinator (Chairman).
Support campaigns
Support campaigns proposed by members.
Develop links between campaigns.
Network with other alliances with compatible principles.
How to be part of the Network
Join the Alliance.
Fishers, associations, CSOs and NGO networks can join. Members must agree with the principles of the Alliance.
Take up membership at your country focal point, a regional office, or the International Secretariat hosted by HOMEF. Membership forms are available for individuals and corporate bodies.