Fish Forever

Healthy coastal fisheries are vital to the food security, economic prosperity, and climate resilience of coastal communities around the world. Through our Fish Forever program, Rare works with fishers to revitalize coastal fisheries, and partners with local leaders, governments, funders, and NGOs to empower local communities to manage them sustainably.

 

Impact Numbers

79,545 sq km

14,232 sq km

2,031

2,552,146

347

Area of ocean placed under sustainable, community-led management Area of no-take reserves established where fishing is off limits for nature to recover Total communities reached Community members reached

Mayors and local leaders committed to sustainable coastal fisheries

Focus Areas

Aerial coastal fishing community with boats.

The Community Seas

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.

30×30 & community-led management

To protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, we need to expand the ocean conservation toolbox and enable local communities to lead in the sustainable management of the ocean.

Our community-led approach

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

Local leadership

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

Meet the Coastal 500

Stories & Impact

 

OECMs: Expanding the tools of ocean conservation
The Mothers of the Mangrove: A Brazilian network of women leaders
Braving the Tides: The woman protecting Del Carmen’s Seas

Fish Forever around the world

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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.

Advancing people-centered solutions at COP16
January 21, 2025
Unlocking the potential of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures
October 23, 2024
Celebrating Palau's New Managed Access Area
July 22, 2024

See All updates

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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.

 

$25 USD $50 USD $100 USD Other

A Fisher pulling his boat to shore in Mozambique.