"Outlook on sustainable food security from our oceans- a perspective from the Seto Inland Sea"

Roundtable Topic

Our seas and oceans can be mirrors of human life - its origins, its development and its future. UNITAR’s Series on Sea and Human Security addresses the different dimensions of human security pertaining to seas and oceans, and the related and delicate tradeoff between development and conservation.

The last two workshops of this Series highlighted this tradeoff in particular as it relates to marine food security. Marine food resources are not under individual ownerships, they are fluctuating and reproductive. Their res nullius nature makes them a target of (over)exploitation, their impermanence gives rise to uncertainty and their reproductive ability reminds us that we are ultimately talking about living creatures. At the same time these characteristics and the diversity and multiplicity of stakeholders involved require that we seek to share the potentials of science and tradition in nurturing life and the imperative of exercising moderation. 

Food security, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, exists when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life. The definition entails two main subjects of study of equal importance: sustainable food supply against hunger, and the safety of that food. From a boarder perspective, it means protection of coastal and marine environments ensuring safe and sustainable food production as well as generation of income and employment leading to economic development. Discussion of these issues by various stakeholders including scientists, policy makers, academics and consumers are necessary and UNITAR and Hiroshima University are hoping to provide exactly such a forum for these exchanges.

The public session will be conducted in the context of UNITAR’s weeklong workshop on marine food security. Speakers are requested to especially highlight the current situation and outlook of food security observed in Hiroshima and the Seto Inland Sea. Fresh impressions and comments on the study tour organized on the morning of 4 October would also be welcome.

Marine food security means protection of coastal and marine environments ensuring safe and sustainable food production as well as generation of income and employment leading to economic development. Discussion of these issues by various stakeholders including fishermen, fisheries’ experts and managers, scientists, policy makers and consumers are necessary and UNITAR and Hiroshima University hope to provide exactly such a forum for exchange. Speakers are requested to highlight also the current situation and outlook of food security observed in Hiroshima and the Seto Inland Sea.

This public session follows in the tradition of UNITAR’s regular roundtable series conducted periodically in Hiroshima.