Fisheries Improvement Fund

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Leadership in the Blue Economy: Financing Fishery Recovery

Towards a Fisheries Improvement Fund

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), in collaboration with Finance Earth (FE), has been working to develop the concept for an innovative blue finance mechanism – the Fisheries Improvement Fund – with the aim of reversing the global trend of fisheries decline. Sustainable finance is critical to scaling the transition towards more sustainable fisheries; we need new models that are efficient, equitable, and cost effective for key stakeholders. We believe that testing and proving innovative concepts in the real world, such as this, are critical to the establishment of a sustainable blue economy.

Fisheries are an inherently renewable resource if we invest in their recovery and long-term management, which will support coastal jobs and livelihoods for several millions of people, contributing to a sustainable blue economy.

© James Morgan  / WWF-US

THE MODEL SEEKS TO


  • Provide a breakthrough financial solution for fishery improvements at scale

  • Raise capital to provide eligible FIP Implementers with upfront and ongoing finance to deliver FIP workplans

  • Create a long-term revenue stream for FIPs from companies sourcing from the fisheries through a volume-based fee mechanism

  • Deploy capital when and where it is needed to recover fisheries and document clear environmental and economic impact

HOW IT WORKS


The concept of this blue finance mechanism – the Fisheries Improvement Fund (FIF) – is to raise upfront funding to support the implementation of Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) by experienced partners on the ground and establish an equitable and scalable repayment mechanism based on a volume-based fee contributed by participating companies. This innovative approach is based on a clear and compelling business case for companies to invest in the long-term viability of their seafood supplies, thus reducing supply chain volatility and mitigating legal, shareholder, and supply chain risk while enhancing business value and protecting brand reputation. It allows for capital to be deployed at speed and scale to target fisheries in order to address the most critical ecological and social issues and to document clear environmental and economic impact.

THE VALUE PROPOSITION FOR BUSINESS


Stabilize fishery yields and reduce supply chain volatility
Reduce legal, shareholder, and supply chain risk while protecting brand reputation
Establish equitable, transparent, and efficientcost structures for funding fishery improvements
Be at the forefront of innovation

Why do we Need this Funding Model?

The lack of significant, long-term financing for fisheries improvement represents a barrier to scaling current efforts. It is not possible to increase the pace and scale of change without addressing how those changes are funded. This concept directly addresses this need by tackling the challenges associated with traditional funding for improving fisheries, including constant fundraising efforts that lead to piecemeal activities; lack of transparency, standardization, and efficiency in budgeting; high transaction costs; and minimal private sector participation. This model aims to mainstream sustainability into private sector business models and create a mechanism that provides a consistent source of funds for FIP implementation.

© Yawar Motion Films / WWF-Peru


COLLABORATION AND DESIGN TO TEST THE FINANCING MODEL


World Wildlife Fund (WWF), is working with Finance Earth, experts in impact investment and fund management, through a multi-stakeholder initiative with leading industry players to design and pilot this financing concept aimed at delivering global fishery recovery at scale. This collaboration will focus on reversing the trend of fisheries decline and scaling global fisheries improvements for healthier marine ecosystems, thriving fishing communities, and a sustainable blue economy. Once established, this new mechanism will secure much-needed funding for implementing Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), attract new capital providers, and establish a return mechanism based on participating companies’ contributing toward a long-term, volume-based fee. Testing this model in the real world will provide a replicable and scalable model that can serve as a blueprint for a potential global Fisheries Improvement Fund in the future.

THE TEAM


World Wildlife Fund (US)

WWF has over a decade of experience working at the nexus of markets and fisheries to improve seafood sustainability. Since the outset, WWF has led the development of the global FIP approach to drive the improvement of large- and small-scale fisheries around the world and has worked with hundreds of fisheries to help improve their sustainability. 

Finance Earth

Finance Earth is the UK’s leading environmental impact investment boutique, providing financial advisory and fund management services across the natural and built environment both in the UK and internationally. Finance Earth helps to create projects – and the investment vehicles to fund them – that balance positive outcomes for nature, communities, and investors.

COMPANY PARTICIPANTS

Offtake Participants: Offtake companies are contributing a fee per metric ton (MT) into the Fund for the Pilot.

Buyer Participants: Buyer participants include longtime supporters of FIPs and established WWF partners. These companies are supporting the launch of the Fisheries Improvement Fund and Pilot.

Philanthropic Foundations: Philanthropy and patient capital providers are providing philanthropic support for the launch of the Fishery Improvement Fund.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS


Finance Earth is seeking proposals for Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) worldwide that may be interested in seeking funding through the new Fisheries Improvement Fund (FIF).

FE is open to opportunities brought forward by any relevant stakeholder(s) including NGOs, local fishing groups, industry actors, off-take/trading companies, buyers/retailers and local/national governments. This fund can support both industrial and artisanal, small-scale fisheries.

Please visit https://finance.earth/fif/ to learn more and email fif@nullfinance.earth to arrange an initial discussion.

TO LEARN MORE OR SUBMIT A FIP
Email Fif@nullfinance.earth

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