A community-led approach to protecting the ocean

The livelihoods, food security, and climate resilience for hundreds of millions of people globally are tied to the health of small-scale fisheries. Rare’s Fish Forever program works to revitalize coastal fisheries that lie within coastal waters brimming with biodiversity. Leveraging biological, behavioral, and social sciences, Rare works with partners and local leaders to sustain fisheries production, build coordinated advocacy among governments, and elevate the voices, concerns and priorities of fishers and coastal communities.

 

 

Aerial coastal fishing community with boats.

Protecting a vital part of the ocean

Fish Forever focuses on revitalizing coastal waters, where high human activity meets high biodiversity. We call these the “Community Seas” as they are critical to the food security, livelihoods, and climate resilience of communities around the world.

Why the community seas?

300 HA Marine Protected Area.

Supporting community-led management of resources

With coastal communities spread out across large areas, a traditional top-down approach to fisheries management rarely works. Fish Forever prioritizes a community-led approach that centers on community co-management of coastal fisheries.

Our community-led approach

Photo of a group of local leaders taking their Coastal 500 pledge.

Elevating local leaders on the
global stage

Mayors and other local leaders are key to implementing protections for communities and ecosystems. The Rare-sponsored Coastal 500 initiative is the largest global network of mayors and local government leaders committed to working towards thriving and prosperous coastal communities.

Meet the Coastal 500

Delivering data & resources for decision-making

For communities to manage their natural resources effectively, they need good data and adaptable guidance. The Fish Forever portal provides the tools, resources, and real-time data local leaders and other decision-makers need to protect the nature that sustains them.

Visit the Portal

Stories & Impact

 

OECMs: Expanding the tools of ocean conservation
The guardians of the mangrove: safeguarding life on Brazil’s Amazon coast
Unlocking the potential of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures

Fish Forever around the world

Fish Forever Progress Update

Our Fish Forever Progress Update is a bi-monthly update on the impact Rare and our partners are having in coastal communities and for coastal ecosystems.

Unlocking the potential of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures
October 23, 2024
Celebrating Palau's New Managed Access Area
July 22, 2024

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Our Fish Forever Program Partners

A sampling of donors and partners—past and present—who support Rare’s Fish Forever program.

fish forever partner and donor logos.

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Resources

The Case for Protecting and Managing the World’s Territorial Seas
Report
Pathways to Establishing Managed Access and Networks of Reserves
Report
Fish Forever: Then and Now
Report

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive.

Help empower coastal fishing communities to restore, protect, and sustainably manage coastal seas.

 

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A Fisher pulling his boat to shore in Mozambique.