FAO Digital Media Hub - GAZA STRIP 2024 / FISHERIES SECTOR ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE

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GAZA STRIP 2024 / FISHERIES SECTOR ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE

Palestinian fishermen withdraw their nets from the sea, Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, 09 December 2024. Gaza's coastal ports were once thriving hubs, with fishers forming the backbone of the community for generations. Today, the sector is on the brink of collapse as the ongoing conflict disturbs the production. According to FAO, however, the situation could still be reversed if peace is restored and fishers are granted safe access to fishing waters, along with the resumption of imports of essential fish production inputs and tools. A World Bank report states that prior to the escalation of hostilities, over 6 000 individuals in Gaza, including 4 200 registered fishermen and boat owners, relied on fishing as their main income. The sector supported around 110 000 people. FAO's preliminary fisheries damage and loss assessment indicates that Gaza's average daily catch between October 2023 to April 2024 has dropped to just 7.3 percent of 2022 levels, causing a $17.5 million production loss.

12/09/2024

File size 4.21 MB

Unique ID UF192HC

Editorial use only. Photo credit must be given. For further information contact: Photo-Library@fao.org

Background Information

Only about 8% of the workforce has been able to continue working, despite the high risks involved. The destruction of Gaza's two main aquaculture farms, along with the hatchery facility, has also left the sector unable to replenish its fish stocks. Even before the recent military escalation, fishers in Gaza were restricted to operating within limited fishing zones: six nautical miles in the north and 15 in the south. Today, those fishing just meters from the shore are reportedly being targeted, risking their lives. North of Wadi Gaza, which separates the northern and southern parts of the Strip, the Port of Gaza City has been severely damaged, with most fishing boats destroyed. Destroyed or damaged fishing boats, shortages of fish feed and fuel, and constant risks posed to fisherfolks’ lives make it nearly impossible for them to sustain their families or revive the sector. The collapse of Gaza’s fisheries sector has exacerbated an already catastrophic food security crisis. Fish, once a vital protein and other essential nutrient source for thousands, has become nearly inaccessible.