FAO Digital Media Hub - GAZA / COLLAPSE OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR

GAZA / COLLAPSE OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR

The impact of the ongoing conflict on the Gaza fishing sector is devastating. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that daily fish catches in Gaza between October 2023 to April 2024 plummeted to just 7.3 percent of 2022 levels, causing a USD 17.5 million production loss, further exacerbating acute food insecurity and risk of famine in the Strip.

Language Arabic, English

Duration 3m26s

Edit Version International

Video Type Video News Release (VNR)

Date 12/24/2024

File size 455.10 MB

Unique ID UF193JU

Production details and shotlist

UNFAO Source FAO Video

Shotlist STORY: GAZA STRIP / COLLAPSE OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR
TRT: 3:27
SOURCE: FAO
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT FAO ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 9 DECEMBER 2024, DEIR AL-BALAH, KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP / 10 DECEMBER 2024, RAFAH, GAZA STRIP

SHOTLIST:

9 DECEMBER 2024, DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP
1. Med shot, Fishers pushing a boat into the sea
2. Wide shot, Fishers rowing close to the seashore

9 DECEMBER 2024, KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP
3. Med shot, Fisher rowing

9 DECEMBER 2024, DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP
4. Med shot, Fisher holding a net with fish
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed El-Ejla, Project Coordinator at Al-Tawfiq Cooperative Society for Fisheries: "The daily catch in the fisheries sector during the season would range between 15 and 20 tonnes. Today, all fishers catch just kilograms: 5 kilos, 3 kilos, and 2 kilos."

9 DECEMBER 2024, KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP
6. Wide shot, Fishers rowing close to the seashore
7. Wide shot, Fisher drawing his net
8. Med shot, Fisher drawing his net
9. Close up, Empty fishing net on the beach

9 DECEMBER 2024, DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed El-Ejla, Project Coordinator at Al-Tawfiq Cooperative Society for Fisheries: "Every person, if they want to go out to work, they do it with their heart in their hands. In such a dangerous environment, how can they work? Nowadays, it’s not just forbidden to go 50 or 100 meters, they’re not even allowed to reach the beach. All these people on boats fishing are responsible for themselves and doing so at their own risk."

9 DECEMBER 2024, DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP
11. Wide shot, Fishers placing fishing nets on a boat
12. Close up, Fishing nets

9 DECEMBER 2024, KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP
13. Med shot, Fishers repairing fishing nets
14. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed El-Ejla, Project Coordinator at Al-Tawfiq Cooperative Society for Fisheries: "The fisheries sector is a sector that we can quickly thrive in. If we’re talking about farming, that requires time, but with the fisheries sector, if today you provide and facilitate the main inputs and resources needed, tomorrow fisherfolk will be able to fish and boost the food basket."

9 DECEMBER 2024, KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP
15. Med shot, Fishern repairing a fishing net
16. Close up, Fishing net being sewn
17. Med shot, Fisher repairing a fishing net
18. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Khaled Radwan Ahmad Al-Laham, fisher: "Our life was good before the war. We had a source of income thanks to marine cages. We were working, content, and living our lives. All was well. The war came upon us, and all has come to a halt.
19. Med shot, Burnt fishing boat
20. Close up, Burnt fishing boat

9 DECEMBER 2024, DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP
21. Wide shot, Wael Aldaya, FAO Fisheries Project Manager, speaking with fishers
22. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Wael Aldaya, FAO Fisheries Project Manager: "Most of the fishers mention that their assets, their vessels, their belongings have been destroyed during the war. They cannot access the sea, it's prohibited."

10 DECEMBER 2024, RAFAH, GAZA STRIP
23. Med shot, Fishers preparing nets to go fishing
24. Close up, Hands holding a fishing net

9 DECEMBER 2024, DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP
25. Wide shot, Fishers at sea
26. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Wael Aldaya, FAO Fisheries Project Manager: "Our advocacy here is to regain access to the sea to bring the livelihoods of the fishers back. This is the first priority for fishers in addition to stopping the war."
27. Med shot, Fishers at sea
28. Wide shot, Fishers at sea

9 DECEMBER 2024, KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP
29. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Khaled Radwan Ahmad Al-Laham, fisher: "My wish is that they open the sea for us, first of all, so we can go fishing in peace. Then I hope they support us with fishing supplies, like nets, fiberglass and these things, so we can stand on our own two feet."
10 DECEMBER 2024, RAFAH, GAZA STRIP
30. Wide shot, Fishers at sea drawing a net
31. Med shot, Fishers pulling a boat ashore
32. Close up, Box containing crabs

Script The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that daily fish catches in Gaza between October 2023 to April 2024 plummeted to just 7.3 percent of 2022 levels, causing a USD 17.5 million production loss, further exacerbating acute food insecurity and risk of famine in the Strip.

The majority of boats, nets, and conservation facilities were destroyed due to conflict, explains Ahmed El-Ejla, Project Coordinator at the Al-Tawfiq Cooperative Society for Fisheries.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed El-Ejla, Project Coordinator at Al-Tawfiq Cooperative Society for Fisheries:
"The daily catch in the fisheries sector during the season would range between 15 and 20 tonnes. Today, all fishers catch just kilograms: 5 kilos, 3 kilos, and 2 kilos."

Fisheries were a vital sector for nutrition and income in Gaza. Over 6 000 individuals in Gaza, including 4 200 registered fishers and boat owners, relied on fishing as their main income and the sector supported around 110 000 people.

FAO's preliminary fisheries damage and loss assessment indicates that the collapse of the fishing sector has left communities without a primary food source, exacerbating food insecurity. The assessment reports that the two main aquaculture farms in Gaza, along with the only fish-hatchery facility, have been destroyed and are no longer operational.

Additionally, over 4 000 Gazan fishers and boat owners lost access to the sea. This is because waters off the Gaza Strip have been designated as off-limits to Gazans, restricting all access to the sea. As a result, those fishing on boats near the shore, including fishers operating from the coastline, are targeted and unable to safely fish.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed El-Ejla, Project Coordinator at Al-Tawfiq Cooperative Society for Fisheries:
"Every person, if they want to go out to work, they do it with their heart in their hands. In such a dangerous environment, how can they work? Nowadays it’s not just forbidden to go 50 or 100 meters, they’re not even allowed to reach the beach. All these people on boats fishing are responsible for themselves and doing so at their own risk."

Before the escalation of hostilities, different FAO projects supported around 4 000 Gazan fishers, improving food security, safety, and sustainability.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed El-Ejla, Project Coordinator at Al-Tawfiq Cooperative Society for Fisheries:
"The fisheries sector is a sector that we can quickly thrive in. If we’re talking about farming, that requires time, but with the fisheries sector, if today you provide and facilitate the main inputs and resources needed, tomorrow fisherfolk will be able to fish and boost the food basket."

Initiatives like establishing marine cage farms and providing training and fishing equipment helped to enhance livelihoods, ensure a reliable food source, and keep malnutrition rates low in Gaza.

Khaled Radwan Ahmad Al-Laham, a 35-year-old fisher from Khan Younis who previously benefited from the marine cage farms within the FAO project was able to make a living and provide for his family.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Khaled Radwan Ahmad Al-Laham, fisher:
"Our life was good before the war. We had a source of income thanks to marine cages. We were working, content, and living our lives. All was well. The war came upon us, and all has come to a halt.

The conflict forced FAO to temporarily stop its fisheries projects in Gaza.

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Wael Aldaya, FAO Fisheries Project Manager:
"Most of the fishers mention that their assets, their vessels, their belongings have been destroyed during the war. They cannot access the sea, it's prohibited."

FAO is ready to restart projects, replenish damaged boats and equipment, and inject emergency funds when conditions allow. This will help Gazan fishers resume productive activities and revitalize their livelihoods, food systems and the economy.

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Wael Aldaya, FAO Fisheries Project Manager:
"Our advocacy here is to regain access to the sea to bring the livelihoods of the fishers back. This is the first priority for fishers in addition to stopping the war."

For this to happen, peace and safe access to fishing waters and facilities are essential.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Khaled Radwan Ahmad Al-Laham, fisher:
"My wish is that they open the sea for us, first of all, so we can go fishing in peace. Then I hope they support us with fishing supplies, like nets, fiberglass and these things, so we can stand on our own two feet."

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is bleak and rapidly deteriorating. Food availability is at an all-time low across the entire Gaza Strip, and food supply has sharply deteriorated. In early November, the independent Famine Review Committee found a strong likelihood that famine is already occurring or imminent in parts of northern Gaza. Immediate action is required from all actors who are directly taking part in the conflict or have influence on its conduct, to avert and alleviate this catastrophic situation.

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