Rethinking the 30 by 30 target to ensure the well-being of small-scale fishing communities
This study evaluates the social and ecological impacts of marine area based conservation under the global 30 by 30 target, using case studies from the Solomon Islands. It presents principles and a decision making roadmap to guide equitable implementation, emphasizing that small scale fishing communities should not bear the burden of meeting global biodiversity commitments.
Subject Tags
- Fisheries
- Marine protected areas
- Biodiversity
Summary
Target 3 of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework calls for the protection of 30% of terrestrial areas, inland waters, and marine and coastal areas through area-based conservation (protected areas and other effective conservation measures) by 2030. As we progress toward this target, there is a need to critically evaluate the potential impacts of marine area-based measures on small-scale fishing communities, whose well-being is intrinsically entwined with marine ecosystems. Drawing on case studies from the Solomon Islands, we present principles and a roadmap to guide decision-makers tasked with implementing marine area-based conservation in determining whether, where, and how these measures can be effective and equitable in the context of areas used and governed by small-scale fishers. Importantly, we argue that communities should not shoulder the burden of meeting global conservation commitments.
Citation
Diedrich, A., Bergseth, B., Boseto, D., Boseto, H., Cabral, R. B., Cvitanovic, C., ... & Waldie, P. (2026). Rethinking the 30 by 30 target to ensure the well-being of small-scale fishing communities. Cell Reports Sustainability.
TNC Authors
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Peter Waldie
Solomon Islands Country Director. Solomon Islands
The Nature Conservancy
Email: peter.waldie@tnc.org